‘Intolerable exploitation’: Benzema lawyer denies Muslim Brotherhood links (2024)

Lawyer’s statement comes after French interior minister accused Benzema of having links with Muslim Brotherhood.

Published On 19 Oct 202319 Oct 2023

Karim Benzema’s lawyer has hit back at France’s interior minister after he accused the French football star of links to the Muslim Brotherhood group.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin made the accusations after the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and former Real Madrid forward posted a message on social media about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

“All our prayers are for the inhabitants of Gaza who are once again victims of these unjust bombings which spare no women or children,” Benzema, who plays for Saudi team Al Ittihad, wrote on X.

Toutes nos prières pour les habitants de Gaza victimes une fois de plus de ces bombardements injustes qui n’épargnent ni femmes ni enfants.

— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) October 15, 2023

Darmanin, speaking on the CNews Channel, alleged that Benzema “has a notorious link with the Muslim Brotherhood”.

“This is false! Karim Benzema has never had the slightest relationship with this organisation,” Benzema’s layer Hugues Vigier said in a statement.

He added that Benzema was expressing “natural compassion” with “what many today describe as war crimes being committed in Gaza, but which does not detract from the horror of the terrorist acts of October 7, something not open to discussion”.

The lawyer added that he was planning to file a complaint against Darmanin for his comments.

‘Intolerable exploitation’

“We are once again witnessing an intolerable exploitation of Karim Benzema and the ‘symbolic figure’ that we like to make him,” Vigier said.

Following Darmanin’s comments, a lawmaker asked for Benzema to be stripped of his Ballon d’Or award and for his French citizenship to be revoked.

Valerie Boyer, a Senator for Bouches-du-Rhone, said in a press release that she requests “the forfeiture of Karim Benzema’s [French] nationality” if Darmanin’s claims are verified.

“A sanction, initially symbolic, would be to withdraw his Ballon d’Or. Finally, we must request forfeiture of nationality,” Boyer said.

“We cannot accept that a French dual national, internationally known, can dishonour and even betray our country in this way.”

Darmanin, 41, has carved out a reputation as a hardliner in the mould of his political mentor ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy and makes no secret of his own presidential ambitions.

Benzema is not the only Muslim football star to enter the debate, with Liverpool and Egypt player Mohamed Salah calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and an end to “massacres”.

Benzema, 35, who was born in France to parents of Algerian origin, has been one of the standout French stars of the last decade.

He joined the Saudi club on a hugely lucrative three-year deal earlier this year after 14 seasons with Real Madrid where he lifted five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey titles.

But after a stellar 2021-22 season when he led Real to Champions League glory and was rewarded with the Ballon d’Or for the world’s best player, he was troubled by injuries that ruled him out of France’s World Cup campaign in Qatar last year.

‘Intolerable exploitation’: Benzema lawyer denies Muslim Brotherhood links (2024)

FAQs

What did the French interior minister make baseless claim about soccer star Karim Benzema? ›

French football star Karim Benzema has filed a defamation lawsuit against France's interior minister for accusing him of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood, local media reports. Gérald Darmanin said in October that Mr Benzema "has a notorious link" with the Sunni Muslim Islamist group.

What is Benzema's ethnicity? ›

He won 24 trophies with Real Madrid, including four La Liga, three Copa del Rey, and five UEFA Champions League titles. Born in Lyon to parents of Algerian descent, Benzema began his career with hometown club Lyon in 2005, contributing sporadically to three Ligue 1 title wins.

Does Benzema have two wives? ›

What happened with Karim Benzema? ›

Karim Benzema Returns to Real Madrid - But for Unusual Reason Karim Benzema left Real Madrid last summer to join Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad but is undergoing medical treatment at his former c...

Who is the French minister calling Karim Benzema? ›

French minister Darmanin spars with footballer Karim Benzema in Gaza row. French football's "bad boy" Karim Benzema is threatening to go to court after Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin accused him of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood.

What is Mbappe's ethnicity? ›

His father, Wilfrid, is originally from the Cameroonian island of Djébalè, and, as well as being his agent, is a football coach. His mother, Fayza Lamari, is of Algerian Kabyle origin and is a former handball player.

What is Benzema's personality? ›

Off the pitch, Benzema is known for his reserved and quiet personality. He rarely speaks to the media and prefers to keep his private life out of the public eye.

How many kids does Benzema have? ›

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Benzema and Chloe had two children during their time together; Melia, nine, and Nouri, four. The former Real Madrid star also had a child named Ibrahim, five, with ex-girlfriend Cora Gauthier.

What languages does Benzema speak? ›

Was Benzema born in Africa? ›

Karim Benzema is a French professional football player who currently plays as a striker for Real Madrid. He was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France, and began his football career at a young age. Benzema is of Algerian descent and his parents are both initially from Algeria.

Why did Benzema delete Instagram? ›

Al-Ittihad star Karim Benzema appears to delete Instagram account after humiliating defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr as Real Madrid legend's 'uncomfortable' start in Saudi Pro League continues.

What happened to Benzema in Saudi Arabia? ›

Benzema's club, one of four in the league owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, slipped to seventh in the table in December after three consecutive defeats, leading to the 36-year-old being booed by supporters. The season resumes on Feb 7.

What does Minister of the Interior mean in France? ›

The French Ministry of Interior (Ministère de l´Intérieur - MININT) is at the heart of the State's action throughout the country to serve the French people's needs and meet their expectations in the area of safety and security, but also governance to promote a coherent model made up of institutions, electoral system, ...

Who was the president of France and Mbappe? ›

French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday he remained hopeful national team captain Kylian Mbappe would be able to play for his country at the upcoming Paris Olympics. “I hope he will be able to play at the Olympic Games,” Macron said when asked by pupils during a visit to a school in the French capital.

Who was the French footballer who played for Real Madrid? ›

All Players
Real Madrid CF
PlayerYrsMin
Aurélie Kaci202138
Christian Karembeu1997-19994020
Claude Makélélé2000-200210839
17 more rows

Who was the president of Free France? ›

Led by General Charles de Gaulle, the Free French were eventually able to unify most French resistance forces in their struggle against Germany.

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