Deschamps closes door on Benzema return to France national after his racism accusations

Deschamps says Benzema crossed the line when he accused him of racism after being excluded from the Euro 2016 squad.

The national team coach adds that Karim's words affected his family, tarnishing his good name.

"It's a stain. Even if with time it calms down a bit, I can't forget," Didier Deschamps told RTL, referring to Karim Benzema's racism accusations dating back to 2016.

"It's not just about Karim Benzema. There are statements by other people too that have led to this violent act, which affects my family.

"When it concerns me, on my choices as a coach, the tactics, the technical aspect, it has to be accepted and it does not matter. There, it crosses the white line. It touches my name, my family. For me, this is unacceptable," Deschamps explained.

The coach concluded: "Saying certain things necessarily leads to verbal or physical aggression. I suffer the consequences. We cannot forget. I cannot forget. I will never forget."

As a reminder, Benzema hasn't been called up to the France national team since his alleged involvement into blackmailing his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape in 2015.

Benzema said that Deschamps 'bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France' after he was excluded from the squad for the Euro 2016. Afterwards, the coach's house was vandalised with graffiti labelling him a racist.

Before the axe, Benzema scored 27 goals in 81 games for the national team. This season, he has netted 13 times in 22 matches for Real Madrid.