Sarkozy slams French PM over calls to ban Real Madrid striker Benzema

Former French president Nikolas Sarkozy has jumped to the defence of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

French prime minister Manuel Valls has called for Benzema to be dropped by Les Bleus while he's being investigated for his role in an alleged blackmail plot.

But Sarkozy slammed Valls, declaring: “I can't stand these people who go around lecturing others.

“Everybody talks about things they know nothing about, things covered by judicial confidentiality", he said. “It leads to accusations, denunciations and characters assassinations".

“Valls", he continued, “poses as some absurd exemplary statue. One day it'll be another story. There'll be denunciations, rapprochements, crucification, and the same will happen to him. That isn't 'the rule of law' as I see it".