The player is at risk of losing French citizenship and the Ballon d'Or award
France's Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, accused former Real Madrid player Karim Benzema of having connections with the "Muslim Brotherhood" due to his expression of support for Palestine amidst the escalating Israeli offensive in Gaza. Darmanin made this statement during a television interview on CNews, as reported by Sarbaz.kz, citing French media.
Recently, Karim Benzema, who currently plays for the Saudi club Al Ittihad, shared a message expressing his solidarity with Palestine.
"All our prayers for the inhabitants of Gaza who are once again victims of these unjust bombings that do not spare women and children."- Benzema states
Following Darmanin's allegations, Benzema has faced substantial criticism, including from French Senator Valerie Boyer. Boyer has called for significant consequences if Darmanin's claims are substantiated, including the potential revocation of Benzema's French citizenship and the “Ballon d'Or” award he received a year ago.
"If the statements made by the Minister of the Interior are accurate, we must consider imposing sanctions on Karim Benzema. A first symbolic sanction would involve stripping him of the Ballon d'Or. Ultimately, we should seek the loss of his nationality."- Boyer states
The senator stressed that France cannot tolerate an individual with dual French nationality, internationally renowned, "discrediting and potentially betraying his country in this manner."
