Patrice Evra says France have "shot themselves in the foot twice" after striker Karim Benzema and winger Mathieu Valbuena were caught up in a court case ahead of Euro 2016.
Benzema, 28, remains suspended from the national team after the Real Madrid striker was charged with conspiracy to blackmail in November as part of an investigation into an alleged attempt to extort money from Valbuena using a sex tape.
The Lyon winger has struggled for form since news of the controversy broke and he has also been left out of France's squad for friendlies against Netherlands on March 25 and Russia on March 29.
Evra, 34, was France's captain at the 2010 World Cup, when players infamously staged a training ground boycott after striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home for insulting then-manager Raymond Domenech.
When asked about the Benzema case on Monday, the Juventus left-back admitted that it has certainly not helped the Euro 2016 hosts.
"Who's wrong, who's right?" Evra said on RTL. "The only thing that I can say is that we've shot ourselves in the foot twice.
"That's all -- I don't need to add any more. The two of them will remain my friends for life. And beyond that I believe the case is ongoing so we'll see."
Benzema has scored 24 times for Real Madrid this season and is one goal shy of equalling his best league tally of 21 goals for the club despite sitting out 12 games through injury.
With France's leading striker in danger of missing Euro 2016, Evra appears to be tired of off-field issues disrupting Didier Deschamps' side.
Eighteen months ago the former Manchester United defender got into trouble when he hit out at pundits who were critical of France but he hopes that the squad will be able to focus on football from now on.
"It's the French team -- there's always something," Evra added. "There are always stories. We're working well, we're on the pitch, we're performing well again but on the outside there's always something.
"I hope that -- and Didier says it to us every time too -- that there won't be any more stories, whether it's with me or someone else, before the Euros.
"It's time for us to be left in peace. We're thinking only of the pitch, of our work and of stringing together some wins."