Zidane – Benzema upset by France snub

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has revealed Karim Benzema is ‘upset and annoyed’ following the news he will not be selected by France for this summer’s European Championship.

The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on Wednesday the forward would not feature in Didier Deschamps’s squad for the finals that are due to take place on home soil.

The 28-year-old’s omission comes as he continues to be investigated for his involvement in alleged blackmail plot against international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema’s club manager Zidane has revealed the striker is despondent following the news and he believes the national team will miss his goal-scoring exploits during the finals.

Zidane told reporters: “I have spoken to him. I’m not going to enter into the Federation’s decision to leave him out but he is quite upset by it all – he’s sad and annoyed because he wanted to be a part of the team at the tournament.”

He said: “I’m not going to enter into the Federation’s decision to leave him out but he is quite upset by it all – he’s sad and annoyed because he wanted to be a part of the team at the tournament.”

France are due to face Romania, Albania and Switzerland in Group A of this summer’s finals and they are available at 1.36 to finish top of the group, while they are on offer at 1.02 to qualify for the knockout stages.