KARIM BENZEMA’S agent has waded into the war between his client and France boss Didier Deschamps.
In an online statement, Karim Djaziri blasted the decision to axe Benzema from France’s World Cup squad.
And he also shared apparent proof that the striker WAS fit to feature from the last 16 onwards.
Benzema, 35, was initially named in France’s squad for Qatar after winning this year’s Ballon d’Or.
But the Real Madrid striker was sent home after picking up a thigh injury before the tournament began.
Reports claimed Benzema’s setback wasn’t serious enough to rule him out of the whole World Cup.
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But Deschamps refused to bring the ace back in as the competition progressed.
As a result, Benzema snubbed an invite from France president Emmanuel Macron to watch the penalty shootout final defeat to Argentina.
And he then stunned fans by announcing his retirement from the international scene.
It’s since been claimed Benzema fell out with four of his France pals before deciding to call it a day.
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And his agent Djaziri has now poured fuel on the flames by insisting Benzema was fit to feature for France’s knockout games.
Taking to social media, he blasted Deschamps’ decision not to recall Benzema – using scans of the thigh injury to apparently prove the striker was fit enough for selection.
Djaziri said: “I put that there but before that I consulted 3 specialists who confirm the diagnosis that Benzema could have been fit from the last 16 to at least be on the bench!
“Why did you ask him to leave so quickly?”
Benzema and Deschamps already had a rocky history before Qatar 2022.
Benzema was a regular for France up until 2015, but was banned from playing due to his alleged role in blackmailing team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape scandal.
In November 2021 he was found guilty of complicity and sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term by a court in Versailles, while also being fined £63,000.
Just months before that, Benzema was recalled for the first time by Deschamps for France’s Euros campaign, scoring four goals before their last 16 exit.
It now remains to be seen how long the row rumbles on for, with reports claiming Deschamps could soon be replaced by Zinedine Zidane.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
