The leader of France's far-right Front National has described Karim Benzema's accusations of racism against national team manager Didier Deschamps as "scandalous" and accused the Real Madrid striker of "hiding his wickedness behind a violent charge against the French people". Marine Le Pen, who succeeded her father Jean-Marie as leader in 2011, was responding to claims from Benzema that Deschamps had "bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France" when agreeing to leave him out of the squad for Euro 2016.

“I find the declarations scandalous,” said Le Pen on Thursday.

“I’m not surprised that Mr Benzema hides his wickedness behind a violent charge against the French people.”

Benzema will not take part in the finals on home soil this summer after being suspended by the French Football Federation in December. The decision related to the Real Madrid player being placed under criminal investigation over an attempt to blackmail his international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena in relation to a sex tape, with the FFF president, Noël Le Graët, saying it was important for the sake of "strong harmony" within the squad that the 28-year-old was not involved.

Backing

Deschamps gave his backing to the decision, something Benzema has criticised in an interview with the Spanish newspaper

Marca

, claiming it had more to do with his north African roots than the case involving Valbuena.

"He [Deschamps] has bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France, " said Benzema, who scored 29 goals for Real Madrid last season as the Spanish club finished second in La Liga and won the Champions League.

“He has to know that in France the extremist party reached the second round in the last two elections.

“I do not know, therefore, whether it is a decision only for Didier because I’ve gotten along with him, with the president, everyone. I do not have a problem with anyone. I am with France and wish them well.”

The French prime minister Manuel Valls said that Benzema's comments was "not the right vision of France".

Valls told a meeting of international media: “Players aren’t selected on the basis of the colour of their skin or their origins. It’s true for football teams and it’s true in a general way.

“This is not a good debate for France. It’s not good to think like that. There are good players, bad players, there’s a collective and the image that each player gives, it’s the coach that decides.”

He warned against anyone being categorised by their origins. “Everyone should be proud of their origins of course, but it’s not on the basis of those origins that players are selected and Deschamps has never been suspected of doing that.”

Benzema's comments follows those made by Eric Cantona in an interview with the Guardian, during which the former Manchester United forward questioned Deschamps' decision to leave not only Benzema out of France's Euro 2016 squad but also Hatem Ben Arfa, suggesting his one-time international colleague may have done so because both players have north Africa heritage.

“Deschamps, he has a really French name. Maybe he is the only one in France to have a truly French name,” Cantona said.

The former Manchester United striker aired his views once again on Wednesday.

"I am absolutely not surprised by Benzema's comments. I'd like to point out that - like me – he has at no point accused Deschamps of racism," Cantona told Liberation.

Public opinion

“He has only said that Deschamps’ decision was influenced by public opinion, which is the result of the current political climate in France.

“Benzema showed courage with his comments, because he is still playing and is still available for the national team. But it is only normal that he thinks like a French citizen before thinking like a player. He has responded to a certain problem.”

Cantona is now facing legal action from Deschamps but could not resist another dig at his former France team-mate.

“Deschamps seems to be willing to sue me. It will be the first time he moves from a defensive position into an attacking one . . . He will find out whether it’s easy,” he added.

“Between the three of them, Deschamps, his agent and his lawyer, they should be able to see the difference between defamation and discussing a problem in a society. I don’t have scores to settle. I just give my opinion.” Guardian Service