Thursday 14 April 2016 14:06, UK
Karim Benzema was left out of France's Euro 2016 squad in order to maintain a "strong harmony" among the players, according to French football chief Noel Le Graet.
L'Equipe also quotes the French Football Federation (FFF) president as saying that the Real Madrid striker had "done something really stupid" over the Mathieu Valbuena affair.
Benzema was suspended indefinitely from the France team in December after he was placed under criminal investigation over an attempt to blackmail France team-mate Valbuena in relation to a sex-tape.
The 28-year-old has been accused of complicity in the attempt but has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Legal restrictions barring Benzema from coming into contact with Valbuena were recently lifted, but, despite that, the FFF announced on Wednesday that he would not be selected for Euro 2016 this summer.
Le Graet told L'Equipe: "The deciding factor was the way the squad got on during the training camp [in March].
"We felt there was a strong harmony. On the pitch, we felt they were conducting themselves so well that it wasn't worth taking the risk of disrupting that spirit."
He admitted Benzema had been upset by the decision when he was informed by France coach Didier Deschamps.
"After speaking to Karim, Didier told me he was very, very, very sad," Le Graet said.
Reflecting on the Valbuena case, Le Graet said: "I hope first of all that this affair results in a dismissal of the charges for Karim.
"Let me repeat, I've a lot of affection for him. But here, all the same, he's done something really stupid."
