'Pro Soccer Player Supporting Palestine, Ultimately Expelled from Team'
Bundesliga Mainz El Ghazi, SNS Controversy
"No Remorse"... Club Eventually Terminates Contract
FSV Mainz 05 (hereinafter Mainz), a club in the German professional football Bundesliga, has ultimately expelled a player who posted content related to the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas on social media (SNS). This action came just four days after the club lifted its self-imposed suspension on the player.
On the 3rd (local time), Mainz announced that it had terminated the contract with forward Anwar El Ghazi (28).
On the 15th of last month, El Ghazi shared posts on his SNS stating, “If one side cuts off water, food, and electricity to the other side, it is not a war, and if one side receives billions of dollars in funding, it is not a war,” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” The German dpa news agency reported, “This could be seen as denying Israel and supporting Palestine.”
When the controversy arose, El Ghazi immediately deleted the posts and explained, “The posts were made for the peace of all.”
However, on the 17th of last month, the club stated, “We respect the fact that there are various perspectives on the decades-long Middle East conflict,” but also made clear that “the content of his posts is completely inconsistent with the values of our club,” and imposed a suspension on El Ghazi. The specific duration of the suspension was not mentioned at that time.
On the 30th of last month, Mainz lifted the suspension and announced it would give El Ghazi an opportunity to explain himself. However, on the 1st, El Ghazi posted again on SNS, expressing that he did not regret what he had said. Furthermore, reports emerged that a complaint had recently been filed with the local prosecutor’s office accusing him of spreading hateful expressions.
Consequently, Mainz decided to expel El Ghazi. Mainz has yet to secure a win this season, recording 3 draws and 6 losses in 9 matches, continuing their poor performance. Concerned that the situation might escalate amid the already poor team atmosphere, the club appears to have removed the source of trouble.
After being notified of the contract termination, El Ghazi posted on SNS, “Losing a livelihood is nothing compared to the hell innocent people in Gaza are experiencing,” and “Even if you end up alone, stand up for what is right.”
Hot Picks Today
"Could I Also Receive 370 Billion Won?"... No Limit on 'Stock Manipulation Whistleblower Rewards' Starting the 26th
- Samsung Electronics Labor-Management Reach Agreement, General Strike Postponed... "Deficit-Business Unit Allocation Deferred for One Year"
- "From a 70 Million Won Loss to a 350 Million Won Profit with Samsung and SK hynix"... 'Stock Jackpot' Grandfather Gains Attention
- "Stocks Are Not Taxed, but Annual Crypto Gains Over 2.5 Million Won to Be Taxed Next Year... Investors Push Back"
- "Who Is Visiting Japan These Days?" The Once-Crowded Tourist Spots Empty Out... What's Happening?
El Ghazi is a Dutch national born to Moroccan parents. He began his professional career in 2014 with AFC Ajax in the Netherlands and joined Mainz last September. He is also a teammate of South Korean national team player Lee Jae-sung (31), who currently plays for Mainz.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
