Karim Djaziri, Karim Benzema's agent, says there is a
"hatred" towards his client, who was suspended from
France duty on Thursday:- Photo Filed
Karim Benzema's agent has hit out at what he perceives as a
"hatred" of the striker.
Benzema was suspended from international duty by the French
Football Federation (FFF) on Thursday as a result of an ongoing
legal investigation.
FFF president Noel Le Graet announced that Benzema will not
be considered by France until the investigation into an alleged
blackmail plot involving international team-mate Mathieu
Valbuena is concluded.
The Real Madrid forward has been charged with complicity in an
attempt to blackmail and participating in a criminal conspiracy
as part of an investigation into a sex-tape plot involving
Valbuena. Benzema denies the charges.
And, while accepting the suspension, Benzema's representative,
Karim Djaziri, is critical of attitudes towards his client.
"There is a form of hatred against Karim because of his origins,"
he told RMC. "I've heard it said that he does not like France. You
don't play 81 times for the French team if you don't like France.
"He has had to make a difficult choice. He might have played for
Algeria, the land of his parents, or the country of his birth,
France. He chose France and has proudly represented them 81
times.
"He's a good looking, young, rich footballer of Maghreb and
Muslim descent. He crystallises many things.
"There will be people who don't like the left, the right, the old, the
young and Benzema has many attributes that attract this form
of hate."
Discussing the suspension specifically, Djaziri told BMF TV: "Of
course I understand. The president is obliged to make a
decision.
"[Benzema is] serene, he knows he has done nothing. He
wanted to help a friend. That friend will appreciate and he
knows it too. I sincerely believe that there are things much more
important than this non-case. It has to stop! If you want, you
can restore the death penalty in France for Karim."
Benzema faces missing out on Euro 2016, which is set to be
held in France, unless the legal investigation is concluded before
the start of the tournament. Valbuena is available for selection
after Le Graet said the Lyon midfielder is "guilty of nothing".
Madrid also released a statement following the announcement
of Benzema's suspension from the France national team.
The club said: "Real Madrid regrets, but respects the decision
taken by the French Football Federation to provisionally suspend
Karim Benzema from the France national team, and wishes to
reiterate once more its support for and confidence in the player."
No comments:
Post a Comment