“Some high-ranking people” knocked on Karim Benzema's hotel room at Tashken Hilton Hotel the night before Al-Ittihad FC's match against Almalyk-based AGMK of Uzbekistan. The men reportedly wanted to take photos with him, according to the football news website Championat.Asia .
According to the publication, someone “leaked” information about which room the former Real Madrid star and French international was in.
Reportedly, after the incident, the security measures were enhanced. Karim's personal bodyguard arrived with him in Uzbekistan, but after the incident at the hotel, several more local guards were assigned to him.
The publication added that this had been the first such case since Benzema moved to Al-Ittihad.
Championat.Asia also posted a footage showing that after the match, people with the right “acquaintances” had access to the mixed zone to take pictures with Benzema, while most journalists were not allowed access to interview him.
On November 27, AGMK hosted the Saudi Al-Ittihad in the matchday 5 round of the group stage of the Asian Champions League and lost.
The score was opened on the 30th minute inot the game by Abderrazaq Hamdallah from an assist from ex-Liverpool player Fabinho. Four minutes later, the 32-year-old forward scored a double and increased his team's lead. The home team were able to pull one goal back in the 78th minute through a goal by Martin Boakye.
