Anwar El Ghazi had his contract terminated at Mainz after sharing a video supporting Palestine on social media. The 28-year-old player was suspended by the German club on October 17, shortly after joining in September. Mainz considered the post to be “unacceptable”.
The contract of football player Anwar El Ghazi at German club Mainz has been terminated because of a social media post he made about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
On October 17, the Bundesliga club suspended the former Everton and Aston Villa forward. This action was taken after a post, which was deleted later, came to light two days earlier.
Mainz suspended the player for making comments about “complex conflicts” with different perspectives, stating that this goes against the club’s values.
The German club has terminated El Ghazi’s contract due to his comments and posts on social media.
El Ghazi responded on social media on Friday, saying: “‘Stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone.’
“The loss of my livelihood is nothing when compared to the hell being unleashed on the innocent and vulnerable in Gaza #stopthekilling.”
On Monday, Mainz said El Ghazi’s suspension was lifted. He had conversations with the management and will receive a reprimand. El Ghazi expressed regret for posting the message and was sorry for its negative impact.
The club added El Ghazi “also stated that he does not question Israel’s right to exist”.
However, in a post on social media, El Ghazi mentioned that the club had released their statement without his consent.
“I do not regret or have any remorse for my position,” he wrote. “I do not distance myself from what I said and I stand, today and always until my last breath, for humanity and the oppressed.”
The player, who is 28 years old, signed with Mainz in September as a free agent. He has made three appearances as a substitute.
On Wednesday, the FA announced that they will be writing to clubs, advising players not to use the phrase “from the river to the sea” in their social media posts. This phrase is considered offensive by many.
Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury apologized and deleted a post on a social media platform for using an offensive phrase alongside a Palestinian flag.
The FA chose not to punish Choudhury. However, if any player says the same thing again, they may be investigated by the police.
World of sports 
Leave a comment