Karim Benzema: Real Madrid striker 'heard as witness in Paris money laundering case'

Case is separate from alleged blackmail of Mathieu Valbuena

Karim Benzema was heard as a witness in an investigation over money laundering months ago, a source close to the Real Madrid striker has told news agency Reuters.

The 28-year-old is already suspended from playing for the French national team until his legal situation in a separate case has been cleared - Benzema has been questioned over an alleged attempt by another person to blackmail former international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape, but denies any wrongdoing.

On Friday morning French newspaper Liberation ran a front-page story stating that the Paris prosecutor had opened an investigation on 17 September over the acquisition of a small business by a company that Benzema owns shares in. The business was later sold on for a huge loss.

"He ended up being a shareholder in a restaurant and lost considerable amounts of money," the source close to Benzema told Reuters, adding that he was a victim in the case.

"Karim has been wronged," his lawyer is quoted as saying in Liberation. "He lost a lot of money."

Liberation said the investigative magistrate in charge of the case, Renaud Van Ruymbeke, appears to rule out Benzema's direct responsibility in the new investigation so far.

The Independent are attempting to reach Benzema for comment.

Additional reporting from Reuters