Karim Benzema Case Overshadows Host France's Bid to Win Third Euro

Just as coach Didier Deschamps was instilling genuine confidence into his side, France's preparations to win the tournament for the third time have been overshadowed by off-field matters. (Karim Benzema Suspended Indefinitely by French Football Association Over Sex-Tape Scandal)

An ongoing judicial case involving striker Karim Benzema and winger Mathieu Valbuena looks like depriving Deschamps of his best striker.

Benzema was suspended from the national team on Thursday after being charged with conspiracy to blackmail, relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape featuring Valbuena.

He only has an outside chance of playing if he clears his name.

Still, Deschamps has options in attack, with Olivier Giroud raring to be given the No. 9 jersey and Manchester United's 20-year-old starlet Anthony Martial pushing for a starting place.

France is looking for a hat trick of tournament wins on home soil.

Led by the brilliance of Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane in different decades, it won Euro 84 and the 1998 World Cup in front of its own fans, playing some stylish football along the way. It also won Euro 2000, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium.

Deschamps, who had to cope without Franck Ribery at the last World Cup, wanted the 27-year-old Benzema to be his talisman this time.

But he will probably need someone else to inspire his side.