Karim Benzema takes legal action against French interior minister for defamation

French football star Karim Benzema has taken legal action against France's interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, for defamation. Darmanin had accused Benzema of having connections with the Muslim Brotherhood, a banned Islamist group. Benzema's lawyer argued that these comments had damaged his client's reputation. The dispute arose after Benzema expressed support for the people of Gaza following the bombardments there, prompting Darmanin to accuse the player of having ties with the Muslim Brotherhood. Benzema, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia and is a Muslim, denied the allegations and stated that he had no affiliation with the organization. This legal action comes amidst ongoing tension between the footballer and the interior minister, who has criticized Benzema in the past for refusing to sing the French national anthem and for his activism on social media. The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt, has had a significant influence on various Islamist organizations, including Hamas. While banned in some countries, it operates through front organizations in Europe to advocate for Islamic causes such as the right to wear head-coverings.