Benzema to file defamation complaint against French Interior Minister

French footballer Karim Benzema files a defamation complaint against French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who accused him of having ‘notorious’ links with the Muslim Brotherhood

Renowned footballer Karim Benzema lodged a defamation complaint Tuesday against French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

The minister had previously alleged that the former Real Madrid star had “notorious” links with the Muslim Brotherhood.

The dispute arose when Benzema, a striker for Saudi club Al-Ittihad and the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, expressed solidarity with the inhabitants of Gaza in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) in mid-October.

He denounced what he claimed were “unjust bombardments” by Israel in retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

In response to Benzema’s post, Darmanin accused the player of having a “notorious link with the Muslim Brotherhood,” an assertion that the footballer vehemently denies in his complaint filed by lawyer Hugues Vigier.

Benzema’s complaint, as seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP), asserts that Darmanin’s remarks “undermine” the player’s honor and reputation. The footballer, who is a practicing Muslim, emphatically states in the complaint that he has never had any connection with the Muslim Brotherhood organization or anyone claiming to be a member.

Expressing awareness of being drawn into political games because of his notoriety, Benzema stated: “The dramatic events since Oct. 7 deserve something quite different from this type of statement.”

In October, Darmanin mentioned his astonishment that Benzema had not tweeted in support of the Israelis killed in the Hamas attack or the French teacher stabbed to death by an extremist former pupil.

The minister also criticized Benzema’s refusal to sing the national anthem while playing for France and his “proselytizing on social networks.”

Benzema’s defamation complaint has been submitted to the Cour de Justice, the only French court empowered to prosecute government members for offenses committed while exercising their duties.

Source: AFP