On Friday, the German club Bundesliga club Mainz 05 decidedly terminated Dutch-Moroccan football star and winger, Anwar El Ghazi’s contract over Pro-Palestine posts.
The 28-year-old El Ghazi began his football career at Ajax, then joined Aston Villa and later, Everton. He joined Mainz in September.
Mainz 05 terminate contract with Anwar El Ghazi.
Statement: https://t.co/rFfLiYNAp6 pic.twitter.com/qomwT48Dua
— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) November 3, 2023
El Ghazi first posted about Palestine on his social media accounts on October 17, which he later deleted.
In response to Mainz saying that his contract was terminated Friday, El Ghazi posted the following:
“Stand for what’s 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. Stop the killing.”
— Anwar El Ghazi (@elghazi1995) November 3, 2023
After deleting the initial posts, the club released a statement saying that he regrets posting. On Wednesday, El Ghazi replied that the statement was issued without his permission.
After being suspended and then re-included in the team, he mentioned again that he “Doesn’t regret showing support for Palestine.”
— Anwar El Ghazi (@elghazi1995) November 1, 2023
“I am against war and violence. I am against the killing of all innocent civilians. I am against all forms of discrimination. I am against Islamophobia. I am against anti-semitism. I am against genocide. I am against apartheid. I am against the occupation. I am against oppression.”
El Ghazi joins several footballers that have expressed solidarity with Palestinians such as Mohamed El Neny or even Club Deportivo Palestino.
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