Is Karim Benzema Losing Ballon d’Or Over Muslim Brotherhood Links?

By: Sandipan Ghosh Image credit: X

The 35-year-old French striker Karim Benzema is one of the greatest players in French soccer history. However, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner has now entered a big political controversy.

A French minister recently accused Benzema of a notorious link with the controversial Muslim Brotherhood. Meanwhile, a French senator has also demanded Benzema's nationality forfeiture.

While the French government has reportedly closed more than 1,000 Islamist organizations, Muslim Brotherhood is on its blacklist. France has also reportedly frozen a part of the group's fund.

According to a report by CNN, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said on CNews that Benzema was linked notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Darmanin said, “We have closed 1,100 Islamist establishments. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood."

Darmanin added, “We are attacking a hydra that is the Muslim Brotherhood because they create an ‘atmospheric jihadism,’ like Gilles Kepel would say." However, the minister hasn't provided any proof.

Later, Bouches-du-Rhone's senator, Valerie Boyer, requested forfeiture of Benzema's nationality and Ballon d'Or award if the French Interior Minister's allegation would get proof.

Benzema is in the controversy after his post on X account. He wrote, "All our prayers for the inhabitants of Gaza who are once again victims of these unjust bombings which spare no women or children."

Another French politician Nadine Morano also criticized Benzema for his post on X account. She called him an 'agent of Hamas 'propaganda.'

According to Le Parisien, Benzema's lawyer has revealed to take legal action against the politician for both defamation and manipulation.

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