Karim Benzema Receives Martinique National Park Complaint over Iguana Photo

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has landed himself in trouble with Parque Natural de Martinica, a national park in Martinique, after being photographed holding an iguana while on holiday, per La Provence (via Marca).

The controversial Frenchman, whose ban on playing in the same team as Mathieu Valbuena following a blackmail investigation was lifted on Feb. 18, per Reuters Sport (h/t Sky Sports), is in a spot of bother thanks to a picture posted to his Twitter account:

Benzema was holidaying on the island over the Christmas period, taking a well-earned break after his goals in December ensured Real Madrid were top of La Liga for the winter break.

But since his return to the club, the Martinique National Park has made a formal complaint, claiming that Benzema is in violation of a law that prohibits "capturing and deliberately disrupting a delicate species." Iguanas are an endangered species in Martinique.

"Benzema will always be welcome in Martinique but he must be careful, footballers are not above the law," said the park's manager, Louis Boutrin, per Marca. Benzema may be given a fine for handling the reptile.

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It has been a difficult couple of years for Benzema, who missed out on Euro 2016 due to the ongoing sex-tape scandal and has suffered several injuries since the beginning of the 2015-16 campaign. However, an extended run in the first team since November has given the 29-year-old cause for optimism, while his goal against Napoli in the Champions League on Feb.15 ended a six-match goal drought.

Things are finally looking up for the hapless Benzema, although news of his latest misdemeanor—breaking the morning after Real's shock 2-1 La Liga defeat to Valencia—is unlikely to impress manager Zinedine Zidane.