Giroud: ‘Scandal could pollute France’

Olivier Giroud admits that the Karim Benzema sex-tape scandal could sour the spirit of the France squad as they look ahead to this year's European Championships on home soil.

Real Madrid striker Benzema has found himself suspended from the Les Bleus squad after he was placed under investigation in relation to an alleged attempt to blackmail Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.

A permanent decision on the forward's place in the France team will be made on April 15, and Arsenal striker Giroud admits the whole incident has come as a big blow to the national team.

"It is something that can pollute our spirit. I try not to think about it as it prevents us from concentrating on matters on the pitch. It is the pitch which is the most important," said Giroud.

"The question does not come up. The objective is to have strikers who complement each other the best.

"I don't ask myself the question of Karim or 'Valbu'. The most important thing today is the team."