Kareem Benzema Files Defamation Complaint Against French Minister

Former real Madrid star, Karim Benzema has filed a complaint for defamation against French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who last year said the star had “notorious” links with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Darmanin, a tough-talking right-winger with designs on the French presidency, faulted Benzema after the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner posted on X (formerly Twitter) in mid-October in support of the inhabitants of Gaza, who, he claimed, were victims of “unjust bombardments” carried out by Israel in retaliation for the bloody Hamas attack of October 7.

Darmanin reacted to Benzema’s post by affirming that the player “has a notorious link with the Muslim Brotherhood”, a Sunni Muslim Islamist group which has its origins in Egypt.

Benzema’s complaint by lawyer Hugues Vigier, and seen by AFP, says these remarks “undermine” the player’s honour and reputation.

He noted that Benzema, who plays for Saudi club Al-Ittihad and is a Muslim, 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 the group”.

Written by BlastAdminNg