Benzema to go to court on day of France vs. Spain

MADRID (AP) -France striker Karim Benzema must appear in a Madrid court on charges of reckless driving on the same day his side hosts Spain in an all-important World Cup qualifier.

The Real Madrid player has been called to appear before a judge at 10 a.m. local time on March 26.

Kickoff in Paris is 10 hours later in a match that could decide which team wins their qualifying group and earns a spot in the 2014 World Cup.

Court officials told The Associated Press on Friday that Benzema's court date cannot be changed.

Police in Madrid caught the player driving his car at 216 kph (134 mph) in a speed zone of 100 kph (62 mph) on Feb. 3.