Mathieu Valbuena and Karim Benzema have been left out of France’s squad to face Germany and England this month becase of the ongoing sex-tape scandal.

Coach Didier Deschamps opted for the first time in his reign not to select Lyon playmaker Valbuena after admitting the player is not in the right mental condition due to his being blackmailed.

Benzema was quizzed by French police for two days about the sex tape.

Benzema’s lawyer Sylvain Cormier protested his client’s innocence, telling reporters outside the hearing: “Karim Benzema will clear his name in this matter and, I hope, as soon as possible. His heart goes out to his friend Mathieu Valbuena.”

A condition of the Real Madrid striker’s release was that he cannot have any contact with the other people charged or with Valbuena but, Deschamps insists his absence is down to an ongoing thigh injury.

“Regarding Karim, he was not ready physically,” Deschamps said.

“Concerning the police case, I have no knowledge of the matter. I will leave the police to deal with it.”