Benzema returns to France squad

PARIS (AP):

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema returned to the France squad for next week's friendly against Norway, despite his involvement in an investigation over allegations that he solicited an underage prostitute.

Benzema, who was not at the World Cup after an unimpressive season, received a call yesterday along with seven new players.

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is also involved in the case and was left out by France coach Laurent Blanc because he was among the 23 players who went on strike during a World Cup training session. Those players are suspended for Blanc's first game in charge in Norway on Wednesday.

none of his business

Last month, a French judge issued preliminary charges against Ribery and Benzema as part of a probe into a suspected network of prostitutes operating out of a nightclub on Paris' Champs-Elysees.

Some members of the French government said it would be better if the players were left out of the national squad during the investigation, but Blanc said Benzema's private life was none of his business.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Nicolas Douchez (Rennes), Stephane Ruffier (Monaco)

Defenders: Aly Cissokho (Lyon), Mathieu Debuchy (Lille), Rod Fanni (Rennes), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Adil Rami (Lille), Mamadou Sakho (Paris Saint-Germain), Benoit Tremoulinas (Bordeaux)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Lille), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Blaise Matuidi (Saint-Etienne), Yann Mvila (Rennes), Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan), Samir Nasri (Arsenal), Moussa Sissoko (Toulouse)

Forwards: Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Jimmy Briand (Lyon), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris Saint-Germain), Jeremy Menez (AS Roma), Loic Remy (Nice).