Karim Benzema has been cleared to contact Mathieu Valbuena again, the first step in the Real Madrid forward's possible return to the France team.
Benzema has been under investigation since November in relation to an alleged blackmail attempt against Valbuena, centred on the reported existence of a sex-tape showing the Lyon midfielder and his partner.
A ban on seeing Valbuena was one of the conditions of Benzema's release from custody and he has been ruled non-selectable for the national team ever since.
The restriction was lifted on February 18, pending an appeal which was dismissed at a hearing on Friday.
"The appeal court of Versailles confirmed the decision of the supervising judge which allowed Karim Benzema to meet with Mathieu Valbuena," Benzema's lawyer Olivier Combe told reporters outside the hearing.
The French Football Federation acknowledged the decision in a brief statement. The FFF also succeeded in an appeal to be considered a civil part to the case, granting access to documents relating to the investigation.
The statement on fff.fr read: "The French Football Federation takes note of the lifting of restrictions on Karim Benzema. It is a first stage.
"The FFF has also been recognised as a civil party and can therefore learn of all developments in the case as they happen."
Another of Benzema's legal team, Sylvain Cormier, welcomed Friday's verdict.
"Common sense has reasserted itself," said Cormier, as reported in L'Equipe. "This decision lifts the legal obstacles which could have existed (to Benzema playing for France).
"(Benzema) remains under investigation until the inquiry is complete. We are working hard to demonstrate his innocence, this is a first stage cleared."
France coach Didier Deschamps will name a squad next Thursday for friendlies against Holland on 25 March and Russia four days later.
