French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet has admitted Karim Benzema has made mistakes, but feels the Real Madrid striker deserves a second chance.
Benzema has been charged with complicity in an attempt to blackmail and participating in a criminal conspiracy as part of an investigation into a sex-tape plot involving France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.
"Maybe I have protected Karim excessively in this matter, but I really like him and we all make mistakes," Le Graet told Paris Breizh Media.
"He got carried away by stupidity in this case. He has been stupid like a donkey. But I don't believe in lecturing people.
"There are good and bad people in all environments, among teachers, among businessmen, anywhere.
"Benzema comes from a difficult environment and he got carried away.
"Karim is a guy I really like. People talk to me about the way he expresses himself, but we take everyone as they are. Football is like that."
