German soccer club Mainz suspends player for ‘unacceptable’ post about war
Anwar El Ghazi has been ‘relieved of his training and matchday related duties’ after calling Israel’s military campaign against Hamas ‘genocide and mass destruction’
Bundesliga soccer club Mainz has suspended Dutch forward Anwar El Ghazi for what it called an “unacceptable” social media post about the Israel-Hamas war.
The club said on its website that it has “relieved Anwar El Ghazi of his training and matchday related duties” because of a post he shared Sunday that he since deleted.
It does not say what the post contained, nor whether the player will return to play for the club.
A screenshot of El Ghazi’s post circulating on social media shows that he wrote a lengthy post about how the ongoing violence is “not a conflict and it’s not a war. This is genocide and mass destruction and we’re witnessing it happen live,” before ending his post with: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
Mainz spokesperson Silke Bannick declined Wednesday to give further details, saying only that El Ghazi was “released from training and matchday activities. Please understand that we will not comment further beyond the official statement.”
On its website, Mainz said: “In the post, El Ghazi stated an opinion on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that was deemed unacceptable by the club. Prior to making this decision, the club and the player had engaged in an in-depth discussion.”
Former Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi has been suspended by German club Mainz for posting a pro-Palestinian Instagram story.
Just one month after his arrival, the Dutch forward has been released for an “intolerable position” according to the club as the phrase “From the River… pic.twitter.com/pRbC2D9RVy
— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) October 18, 2023
The 28-year-old El Ghazi, who previously played for PSV Eindhoven, Aston Villa and Everton, joined Mainz last month. He has made three appearances as a substitute for the team.
