“This Is a Crime”: Karim Benzema’s Brother Reacts Angrily After Saudi Super Cup Defeat

• The brother of Karim Benzema, Gressy, has lashed out at Al-Ittihad
• Ittihad suffered a chastening loss against Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final
• The ex-Real Madrid captain was a pale shadow of his former self against Hilal

Karim Benzema's brother has launched a scathing attack on Al-Ittihad after their Saudi Super Cup defeat on Thursday evening.

Benzema, who endured a turbulent campaign in his debut season with the Tigers, saw his side crumble in the final, losing 4-1 against Al-Hilal.

A brace each from Salem Al Dawsari and Malcom condemned Ittihad to their sixth loss this season against the Blue Waves despite Abderrazak Hamdallah's first-half strike, which proved to be only a consolation, per ESPN.

Throughout the game, the runaway Saudi Pro League champions asserted their authority, with Benzema struggling to impose himself on the game as his side finished runners-up.

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Perhaps his inability to influence the game was largely due to the role manager Marcelo Gallardo assigned him. The Argentine coach deemed it fit to deploy the former Real Madrid hitman on the left side of his attack.

While the Frenchman is credited for his dexterity and ability to play along anywhere in attack seamlessly, it is also an open secret that he operates better as a centre forward, especially as he enters the twilight of his career.

Benzema's brother slams Al Ittihad

Gallardo's decision led to the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner's brother registering his displeasure with the defending Saudi League champions for committing what he describes as a 'crime'.

He took to Instagram to voice his concern in an angry tone.

“You play Karim on the left now? This is a crime!”, Karim's sibling wrote on a photo of his brother wearing the Al-Ittihad shirt and pointing to the sky.

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He continued as quoted by Sportskeeda: “It makes no sense. Football needs to be respected.”

Benzema's teammate flogged by angry fan

During the Saudi Super Cup final between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, Morocco forward Abderazzak Hamdallah found himself in a heated exchange with a disgruntled fan, as reported by Sports Brief.

The match concluded on a sour note as tensions escalated, with the fan appearing visibly upset by the team's defeat.

A video circulating on social media captured the intense moment when the fan attempted to approach the Moroccan player in a confrontational manner, even brandishing a whip.

In response, Hamdallah poured water towards the stands before the situation was swiftly diffused by officials.