“Unfortunately for me and for those who have always backed me and supported me, I will not be selected for our Euro in France,” Benzema revealed on his official Twitter account.
Moments later, the FFF released a statement, confirming that the organisation’s president Noel Le Graet had met with France coach Didier Deschamps to discuss Benzema’s position.
They said that “sporting performance is an important factor but not the only one that decides whether a player is called up to the France squad.
“The capacity of the players to strive towards unity, within and around the squad, to be exemplary…are also taken into account.
“As a result, Noel Le Graet and Didier Deschamps have decided that Karim Benzema will not be able to participate at Euro 2016.”
Benzema, 28, was indefinitely suspended from the France team in December after he was placed under investigation over an attempt to blackmail France teammate Valbuena in relation to a sex-tape.
Malheureusement pour moi et pour tous ceux qui m'ont toujours soutenu et supporté. Je ne serai pas sélectionné pour notre Euro en France...
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) April 13, 2016
Benzema has been accused of complicity in the attempt.
Legal restrictions barring Benzema from coming into contact with Valbuena were recently lifted, but the case has not yet been resolved.
According to investigators, Benzema was approached by a childhood friend from Lyon, Karim Zenati, who asked him to persuade Valbuena to pay money to have the tape destroyed.
Instead, Valbuena went to the police.
Three men were arrested and held in custody over the demands to Valbuena, but they were subsequently released.
Benzema has denied any wrongdoing but could face a five-year jail term if found guilty.
The affair has gone right to the top of government in France, with Prime Minister Manuel Valls saying last month that Benzema should not be allowed to return to the national team while he remains at the centre of the investigation.
On Wednesday, Benzema’s lawyer blamed the intervention of Valls for influencing the FFF’s decision.
“I am not happy with the Prime Minister for getting involved in the selection of the France team. It is not his job,” Eric Dupond-Moretti told RMC radio.
