Daniel Riolo verdict due in Didier Deschamps defamation case over Karim Benzema’s 2022 World Cup exit | OneFootball

Daniel Riolo will learn at 13:30 on Friday the verdict of his defamation trial after calling Didier Deschamps a "liar" over Karim Benzema's 2022 World Cup withdrawal.

According to L'Équipe, the pair faced off at Paris criminal court on 20 November during a five-hour hearing, Deschamps showing visible irritation as the RMC pundit spoke in a packed room.

The case stems from Riolo's remarks on RMC's After Foot on 4 January 2023 about the severity of Benzema's injury and his exit on the tournament's opening day. Deschamps says Benzema chose to leave Doha, while Riolo claims the coach pushed him out.

France team doctor Franck Le Gall testified, backing his manager and his diagnosis, and criticising Aspetar and its director Hakim Chalabi. Chalabi, formerly with PSG and Stade Français and now head of Aspetar while overseeing PSG's medical set-up, underpinned Riolo's defence via Benzema's long-time agent Karim Djaziri.

After learning of the complaint, Riolo called Chalabi seeking confirmation, recorded the conversation without consent, then presented the audio in court, exposing his source.

Deschamps told the court that in the final month before the World Cup Real Madrid played five matches and Benzema managed only 26 minutes. He said he kept in touch, selected the striker, and that after the 14 November medical his doubts persisted.

The prosecutor was scathing about Riolo during submissions. He will now discover whether he is convicted.

Source: L'Équipe