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Razza t1_issj0w7 wrote

I don’t know if Benzema is a real beacon of good character.

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cedenof10 t1_istqfl7 wrote

As a Barça fan, I have always thought Benzema was a phenomenal player, but after I found out about the blackmail case I couldn’t look up to him the same way. It’s a shame because he’s a great player and truly deserves the award this year.

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ShitfacedGrizzlyBear t1_isumx7c wrote

As a Barca fan, I’d think you’d maybe be more willing to look into the details of the blackmail case to see what he actually did. The extent of the “blackmail” was Benzema becoming aware of what had happened and then telling his teammate he might just want to pay to put it all to rest before a major tournament with the French national team. (It should be noted that the French team was not in a good place at the time and that the French media are absolutely ruthless. If word got out, it would have derailed not only Valbuena’s career but also the entire team.)

Maybe Benzema should have handled everything differently. Maybe gone to the police instead. But it’s simply not true to say that he had any role in blackmailing his teammate besides informing his teammate about what he was told when the people responsible approached him. Benzema didn’t plan it. He didn’t take part in acquiring the sex tape. Literally all he did was say, “hey, maybe you should just pay them.” The money demanded would have been pennies to Benzema. If it ludicrous to actually think that Benzema blackmailed his teammate. At most, you can say that he should have gone to police instead of Valbuena directly. But as discussed above, there are reasons he didn’t do that.

If we want to talk about the criminality of footballers without any context, let’s talk about how Messi is a dirty, tax-dodging monster who was stealing money from the Spanish people. (For the record, I don’t believe that’s the case. I’m just trying to make a point that the way people talk about the Benzema/Valbuena controversy is sensationalist and intentionally paints Benzema in a bad light.)

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Stephannation t1_istrq3d wrote

Also he had sex with a 15 year old prostitute.

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gbru015 t1_istx3vq wrote

This doesn't seem like an "also" level revelation - more kinda the headline. Is that true?

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Stephannation t1_istyx89 wrote

Google Karim Benzema 15

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HerakIinos t1_isu5mt4 wrote

The girl was 16 and she admited she lied about her age. He wasnt aware she was a minor.

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Cosoman t1_isuv9l0 wrote

Also he was like 19-20 at that time

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Stephannation t1_isu924u wrote

Although all that could be true, he has lost the benefit of the doubt in my mind

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HerakIinos t1_isu96f4 wrote

Its not like him or the judges cares about your mind...

The girl literally admited it.

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Stephannation t1_isu9iao wrote

I actually just got a call from the judges in a wild turn of events

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ChrisTinnef t1_isu8msa wrote

Investigation found he had credible reasons to believe she was of legal age. So I'd say it's a similar Level to the crime he was found guilty of.

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luvgothbitches t1_isufydg wrote

oh brotherrrr. Nobody tell this guy about John Lennon cus his brain might explode. Spoiler: Nobody has a clean record, including you.

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Conundrumist t1_isukwqq wrote

HEY!! my record is perfectly clean!

The bodies in my basement were there when I bought the house ..... 20 years ago ..... I just forgot to report them.

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