Ribery, Benzema get Blanc backing
Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema can still play for France despite facing criminal charges for having sex with an underage prostitute
Les Bleus' new manager Laurent Blanc has given his backing to the underfire duo.
Two government ministers, Roselyne Bachelot and Rama Yade, had suggested that no player under criminal investigation should be able to play for France.
But Blanc said: "Criminal investigations are very long. I'm here for two years. Ribery and Benzema are among the key players of the team."
Last week, Blanc suspended all 23 members of the World Cup squad for the forthcoming friendly with Norway.
It follows a SA2010 campaign riven by in-fighting.
Ribery went to the World Cup but Benzema did not make the cut for the tournament.
