Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has responded to suggestions from the French prime minister and sports minister that he is not yet worthy of being recalled to the France squad by pointing out his disciplinary record via Twitter.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls followed Sports Minister Patrick Kanner in stressing that a national team player should have an exemplary record, indicating that Benzema, who was charged with consipiracy to blackmail in November, was lacking in that regard.
Last weekend France boss Didier Deschamps had hinted that he would be ready to recall Benzema after a judge lifted restrictions that had banned the player from any contact with France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema was suspended indefinitely from the national team after being charged as part of an investigation into an attempt to extort funds from Lyon winger Valbuena using a sex tape.
On Tuesday, Benzema responded to the politicians' intervention with this tweet:
"I've been a professional for 12 seasons: 541 matches played 0 red cards 11 yellow cards!!! And some people talk whether I set an example???"
12 saisons que je suis professionnel : 541 matchs joués 0 carton rouge 11 cartons jaune !!! Et certains parle de mon exemplarité ???
- Karim Benzema (@Benzema) March 15, 2016
Earlier on Tuesday, Valls had told RMC radio that Benzema was not yet ready for a return to the national team.
"With respect to young people, a great sportsperson must be exemplary," Valls said.
"I am neither the president of the FFF [French Football Federation], nor Didier Deschamps.
"And it's up to the coach to pick the best team possible.
"But I don't think that the conditions have been met in order for Karim Benzema to return to the French team.
"He is still charged and you feel that there was something [that warrants investigation].
"Football is not something separate of interest only to football fans.
"Football is our heritage. All actions -- all choices have their importance."
On Monday evening Kanner made similar comments to RTL.
"I think that when you sign a code of ethics to be a member of the French team you have to respect it and I think that at the moment the conditions have not been met on that subject for Mr. Benzema," Kanner said.
"The coach wants to engage the services of the best French players. My position is that of a sports minister who thinks that exemplarity, integrity and the judicial and human value in the case of players must be taken into consideration. But I'm not the coach of France."
Late last month a survey suggested that seven out of 10 French people did not want to see Benzema included in the Euro 2016 squad, as well as 60 percent of respondents who identified themselves as football fans.
Benzema is not expected to be recalled for France's friendlies against the Netherlands and Russia later this month as he is currently out injured.