SOCCER
Nice’s Youcef Atal’s given seven-game suspension over Israel-Gaza social media post
The player, who shared a video on Instagram in October relating to the Israel-Gaza war, has now been suspended from football.
Nice defender Youcef Atal handed has officially been dealt a seven-game suspension by the French Football Association (LFP) over a social media post relating to the Israel-Gaza conflict, which he made back in October.
The video, now deleted and apologised for, was posted on his Instagram account and was widely criticised for being anti-Jewish.
The player was on international duty with Algeria and once he returned to France he was suspended by the club on October 18. The ban from French football’s governing body will come into effect on October 31.
‘The club has taken the decision to take immediate disciplinary action’
A statement from the club read: “OGC Nice understands that the player has acknowledged his error by quickly withdrawing the sharing of the publication and has offered a public apology in writing. Nevertheless, given the nature of the publication shared, and its seriousness, the club has taken the decision to take immediate disciplinary action against the player, prior to any action that may be taken by sporting and legal authorities.”
Nice public prosecutor’s office opened “a preliminary investigation into charges of glorifying terrorism and public provocation to hatred or violence because of a specific religion” following the social media post.
What did Youcef Atal say about the post?
Atal himself wrote an open apology on Instagram, saying “I am aware that my post shocked many people, which wasn’t my intention, and I apologise. I want to clarify my point of view without any ambiguity: I strongly denounce all forms of violence, anywhere in the world, and I support all victims of violence. I would never support a message of hate. Peace is an ideal in which I strongly believe.”
