Anwar El Ghazi’s contract with Bundesliga club Mainz has been terminated after his activity on social media. The player was initially suspended after uploading a pro-Palestine post on his Instagram profile. He later apologised, but has now doubled down on his position even at the expense of his job.
Mainz have confirmed the player’s dismissal, after initially announcing that he would return to training and first team activities a few days ago. Now, El Ghazi is free to choose a new club whom he can join without having to wait for the January transfer window.
Mainz terminate Anwar El Ghazi’s contract over Gaza social media posts
“FSV Mainz 05 is ending the contractual relationship with Anwar El Ghazi and terminated the player with immediate effect on Friday. The club is taking this measure in response to the player’s statements and posts on social media,” the official statement from the club read.
Eugen Salomon was one of the founding members of Mainz, who was also a Jew and a victim of the holocaust. Owing to their history, they have been forced to part ways with El Ghazi since his values don’t align with theirs. The former Aston Villa and PSV Eindhoven winger played only three times for them after joining as a free agent.
“Stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone. The loss of my Eugen Salomon is nothing when compared to the hell being unleashed on the innocent and vulnerable in Gaza #stopthekilling,” El Ghazi wrote on his Instagram profile in response to his contract being terminated.
