FSV Mainz has terminated the contract of Anwar El-Ghazi after the opening of a judicial investigation for “violation of public order” in connection with the reports of the Dutch footballer about the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

BundesligaPhoto: Bernd Feil/MiS / imago sportfotodienst / Profimedia

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Anwar El Ghazi, fired by FSV Mainz for pro-Palestinian messages

In a statement published on X, the German club announced that it was terminating the contractual relationship with Anwar El-Ghazi with immediate effect in response to “the Dutchman’s statements and posts on social media”.

A few hours earlier, the Koblenz prosecutor’s office announced that it had started an investigation into these reports. German justice suspects Anwar El-Ghazi of “violating public order by approving crimes related to hate speech.”

In a message on his Instagram account on October 17, Anwar El-Ghazi offered his support to the Palestinians, ending his message with the formula “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” This slogan is perceived by some as a call for the destruction of Israel, and by others as a call for equal rights between Palestinians and Israelis.

He was suspended by Mainz, who announced their willingness to reinstate him, guaranteeing that the player, during several interviews with the club’s management, “distanced himself from the message published on his Instagram account, which he himself deleted. in a few minutes”.

But on Wednesday, the Netherlands national team player wrote on Instagram: “I don’t regret anything, I don’t regret my position. I do not distance myself from what I have said or what I stand for today and to my last breath for humanity and for the oppressed.”

El Ghazi, free of contract, was recruited by Mainz on September 22 and played 51 minutes in three Bundesliga matches, writes News.ro.