Benzema returns to France squad to play Norway

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 today 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.



There are 13 uncapped players in the squad. Blanc, however, also called up experienced players like Arsenal's Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa of Marseille and AS Roma defender Philippe Mexes, who had been shunned by predecessor Raymond Domenech for the World Cup.



Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra, who missed the World Cup due to a stomach problem, also earned a recall to a squad made up of 16 French League players.