Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema "has no place" on the France team, according to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, reports BBC News.
Benzema is being investigated over a blackmail plot involving team-mate Mathieu Valbuena but denies wrongdoing.
The 27 year old, who has scored 27 international goals, faces charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape.
"A great athlete should be exemplary. If he is not, he has no place in the France team," Valls told French radio.
"There are so many kids, so many youngsters in our suburbs that relate to great athletes. They wear the blue jersey, the colours of France, which are so important in these moments."
Benzema is considered one of France's key players as it prepares to host the Euro 2016 tournament in June, but neither he or Valbuena were selected in the squad for the recent friendly matches with Germany and England.
Last month, after the French anthem was played at the Bernabeu in a tribute to victims of the Paris attacks, he ignited a wave of criticism on social media for spitting on the pitch.
That prompted his lawyers to release a statement in which they condemned "the scandalous interpretation" of the incident.