Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema should be back in the France squad.

Benzema has not played for France since 2015 because of his alleged involvement in a plot to blackmail fellow team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

In March it was announced that the case will go to trial in October. Benzema claims he is innocent and described the six-year saga as a "masquerade".

"The non-call up of Benzema is not dependent on the quality of the player," Wenger told EFE.

"For me, Benzema deserves 100 percent to be summoned to the European Championship.

"He could play for any national team. It is because of an extra and non-sport problem that he is not playing.

"He has been playing for Real Madrid for more than 10 years as a starter, and his record is excellent."