Thursday was held
the trial between Didier Deschamps and Daniel Riolobefore the XVIIth chamber of the Paris Criminal Court. The French coach sued the journalist for defamation.
The 1998 world champion couldn’t stand that Gilbert Brisbois’ sidekick called him a ” liar “ about the seriousness of Karim Benzema’s injury before the start of the 2022 World Cup. Victim of a muscle tear in his left quadriceps during a Blues training,
the attacker had left the group without playing the slightest match.
“Sad… It’s hard but it’s reality. In any case, my heart goes out to the team… Courage, determination, ambition! Hello everyone, thank you coach see you soon”, would have sent Karim Benzema by SMS to the national coach. All sprinkled with a heart-shaped emoticon.
Deschamps/Riolo, Benzema at the heart of discord
“When you read the words used for a player that I supposedly threw out in the middle of the night from base camp, I don’t think he would have said those words,” Didier Deschamps justified himself before the judge.
The judgment will be rendered on January 30, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Daniel Riolo, who ensured having “made an investigation before speaking on the air”incurs a symbolic fine of one euro.
