PARIS

Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema has been detained over an alleged plot to blackmail his teammate in the French national team, Lyon midfielder Mathieu Valbuena on Wednesday.

British daily newspaper The Telegraph reported that Benzema, 27, was held in police custody for questioning in Versailles -- near Paris -- over the blackmail involving a sex tape reportedly featuring Valbuena -- information that has been confirmed by the local prosecutor.

According to French sports daily L'Equipe, investigators are trying to determine whether a conversation between Benzema and Valbuena, during a meeting of the French football team in early October, was playful and friendly or an attempt to pressure to latter to pay the blackmailers.

Three suspects have been officially charged for blackmail since October. The investigation was launched in July.  

On Oct. 13, former French international Djibril Cisse was also detained for questioning in Paris. He was released the same day and has claimed his innocence on French TV. 

It has not been confirmed that the video actually exists.