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Benzema, French Minister clash over ‘Muslim Brotherhood membership’ claim

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1 year ago

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Benzema, French Minister clash over ‘Muslim Brotherhood membership’ claim

The lawyer of Karim Benzema has hit back at France’s interior minister after he accused the French football star who plays for Saudi team Al-Ittihad of links to the Muslim Brotherhood Islamist 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 conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group 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 wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Hamas on October 7 launched shock raids into Israel, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and seizing about 200 hostages.

Israel has since then launched wave after wave of retaliatory air strikes, killing more than 3,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Darmanin, speaking on the CNews Channel, alleged that Benzema “has a notorious link with the Muslim Brotherhood”, a Sunni Muslim Islamist group with its origins in Egypt that is now banned by Cairo.

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

He said 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.

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 this year after 14 seasons with Real Madrid where he lifted five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey.

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.

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, French Minister clash over ‘Muslim Brotherhood membership’ claim

AFP

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Osimhen breaks Odegbami’s Eagles goal record

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March 21, 2025

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Osimhen breaks Odegbami’s Eagles goal record

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has eclipsed legendary striker Segun Odegbami on the country’s all-time leading goal scorers list after scoring his 24th and 25th goals against Rwanda in Nigeria’s critical 2026 World Cup qualifying game on Friday.

Ademola Lookman’s soaring free kick found the Galatasaray striker, who turned the ball home with a superb touch at the far post to give Nigeria the lead in the game.

With the goal, Osimhen moved into second place on Nigeria’s goal-scoring table, trailing only the late Rashidi Yekini’s 37-goal total.

Osimhen, who is playing his debut game in the 2026 World Cup qualification series, scored his 25th goal in the 45th minute of regular time against Rwanda in his 39th appearance for Nigeria.

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He tied Odegbami’s record last November during Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Benin Republic in a 2025 AFCON qualifying encounter.

This season, the 26-year-old has been in excellent form, scoring 20 goals and providing four assists in 20 Super Lig games for league leaders Galatasaray.

He has also scored 26 goals and provided five assists in 30 games across all competitions.

Osimhen breaks Odegbami’s Eagles goal record

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2026 WCQ: Super Eagles move up to third place with 2-0 win in Rwanda

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3 hours ago

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March 21, 2025

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2026 WCQ: Super Eagles move up to third place with 2-0 win in Rwanda

Nigeria breathed life into their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, thanks to a 2-0 win in Rwanda on Friday night.

It was the Super Eagles first game under new head coach, Eric Chelle.

Victor Osimhen continued his hot streak in front of goal with a brace in the first half.

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The striker who has shone this season for Galatasaray, opened the scoring with a side-footed finish from Ademola Lookman’s free-kick.

Osimhen doubled the Eagles’ advantage after stealing the ball on the halfway line and dinking it over the goalkeeper.

The result takes the three-time African champions up to third place in the group, following South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho.

Chelle’s men will face Zimbabwe next on Tuesday.

2026 WCQ: Super Eagles move up to third place with 2-0 win in Rwanda

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Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory

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5 days ago

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March 17, 2025

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Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory

Newcastle United clinched their first domestic trophy in 70 years with a stunning 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed a historic win, igniting celebrations among the club’s passionate supporters.

Defender Burn put Newcastle ahead just before halftime, powering in a header from a corner to send the black-and-white-clad fans into raptures

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Buoyed by their lead, Newcastle doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute when Swedish forward Isak coolly slotted the ball past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Premier League leaders Liverpool pulled one back deep into stoppage time through Federico Chiesa, but it was too little, too late as Eddie Howe’s side held firm to lift their first major domestic trophy since 1955.

 

Newcastle stun Liverpool to secure Carabao Cup victory

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