Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema files defamation suit against French minister
Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema files defamation suit against French minister
Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has filed a defamation suit against French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin for accusing him of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood, according to local media reports. Benzema, who has been playing in the Saudi Pro League, was accused by Darmanin of “having a notorious link" with the Sunni Muslim Islamist group. The statement did not go down well with the Benzema camp and he has filed a suit against the French minister.
What was the matter?
In October 2023, after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, Benzema tweeted his support for the people of Gaza as "victims again of unjust bombardments which spare neither women nor children".
Taking note of the incident, Darmanin was quick to spot Benzema’s lack of support for Israel where over 1,200 people lost their lives. The French minister accused him of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood.
"We are fighting the hydra that is the Muslim Brotherhood because it creates an atmosphere of jihadism," the politician told conservative TV channel CNews.
It is reported that Benzema filed a 92-page complaint against the French Interior Minister in which he says he "has never had the slightest link with the Muslim Brotherhood organisation, nor to (his) knowledge with anyone who claims to be a member of it.
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"I am aware of the extent to which, because of my notoriety, I am being used in political games, which are all the more scandalous given that the dramatic events since October 7 deserve something quite different from this type of statement,” the Real striker further added.
According to French media, there has been no reaction from Darmanin or his public relations officers over the defamation suit.
This is not the first time that Darmanin and Benzema have collided in a war of words, with the former accusing the latter of not singing the national anthem during international matches.
