OGC Nice have suspended Youcef Atal indefinitely for his comments on the Israel-Hamas war on social media. The player’s post was swiftly taken down and he then posted an apology, before going on to clarify his stance on the matter.
The club also made a post explaining their stance and reason behind sidelining Atal, who was recently on international duty with Algeria. The defender becomes the latest player to be suspended due to their comments on the war, with others such as Mainz’s Anwar El Ghazi and Bayern’s Noussair Mazraoui also facing censorship from the club.
Youcef Atal suspended by OGC Nice for Israel-Hamas post
“I want to clarify my point of view without any ambiguity: I strongly denounce all forms of violence, wherever in the world, and I support all victims,” Youcef Atal then said to clarify his views on the war.
Atal has been with Nice since 2018, and has made 115 appearances for the club thus far, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists across all competitions. He is under contract with the club until 2024, and has played six games so far this season.
The player’s post was described as Anti-semitic which resulted in him being called in for a private meeting with the Nice managerial board. French prosecutors have also launched an investigation into the player for allegedly ‘glorifying terrorism’ through his post.
The situation comes at a time when security has been ramped up in France, owing to the country’s high Jewish and Muslim population. The recent stabbing of a teacher outside a high school sent shockwaves throughout the country, further escalating matters.
