France Euro 2016 star Mathieu Valbuena in four letter phone smash fury over Karim Benzema sex-tape slur
MATHIEU VALBEUNA is at the centre of a new storm after attacking a fan who taunted him about the sex-tape case that has cost Karim Benzema his place in the France squad.
Valbuena was the victim of a plot to blackmail him in order to keep footage of him having sex out of the public eye.
And Real Madrid star Benzema has been caught up in the case after allegedly acting as a go-between for the blackmailers.
Though Benzema has denied all allegations, he has been frozen out of the French squad ahead of Euro 2016 — and some fans are pointing the blame at Lyon star Valbuena.
One taunted him as he filmed the Lyon players arriving at Tolouse airport last week, only for the 31-year-old to react with fury and go after the fan.
Valbuena smashed the phone to the floor and then had to be restrained by airport security and teammates as he launched a furious four-letter tirade against the man - known only as Yousef.
Thirty-eight-year-old father of three Yousef, who cannot work due to a brain problem, was giving a commentary of his film to show to his son,
He first mocked striker Alexandre Lacazette, saying ‘Since he got a wage hike, he has stopped scoring.’ The Tottenham and West Ham target shrugged off the taunt.
But as Valbuena walked past, Yousef commented ‘You see, here is the person whose fault it is that Karim Benzema will not be playing at the Euros.’
Unlike his teammate, Valbuena boiled over as he turned round and ripped the phone off the fan and smashed it to the ground, before being dragged back by pals.
Yousef said: “He (Valbuena) saw red and railed against me. He walked toward me, raising his hand as if to strike me by asking me what I was doing.
“He was very aggressive, he approached his head to me, he snatched my phone hands. He wanted to give it to someone but no one took it and so he threw it away.
“He insulted me like scum. He insulted me by saying ‘son of a bitch, f*** your mother’.
“Certainly I was inappropriate with what I might have said to him and I spoke a bit loudly, but Valbuena lost his head. He did not have to behave like that, he is a public figure.
“He went to hit me, I am someone who is fragile and even smaller than he is, even if it is not obvious that I am handicapped.”
“He had to be stopped and restrained by the security guy and some players. He has traumatised me. Since the incident, I cannot sleep.
“My doctor has upped my dose of antidepressants that I was already taking and he has added five days to my Total Incapacity to Work order on my medical certificate.”
Youssef told that he has contacted Lyon to complain and demand compensation for a new phone, only for the club to initially claim Valbuena has always shown good behaviour.
He added: “I want at least an apology from Valbuena and that I am reimbursed for my mobile phone. This situation dominates my thoughts day and night.”
