FC Bayern has not yet announced any consequences following Noussair Mazraoui’s pro-Palestine posts. Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews, is surprised at this.
In a situation in which the conflict in Israel and Gaza has once again escalated into war and the tensions are also manifesting themselves in riots and protests in Germany, people are also looking at FC Bayern Munich. The club has still not announced what conclusions it will draw from right-back Noussair Mazraoui’s social media posts. The 25-year-old Moroccan international posted a video on Instagram last weekend. In this, a voice in the style of a prayer wishes the “oppressed brothers in Palestine” victory in the conflict with Israel.
The post caused a stir in the media and social networks. Mazraoui rowed back on Sunday evening. In an original English-language statement that was available to the dpa, the Moroccan said: “The point is that I strive for peace and justice in this world. That means that I will always be against all kinds of terrorism, hatred and violence .”
Schuster is surprised “that people are not able to clearly distance themselves from terror”
However, Mazraoui did not explicitly distance himself, neither from his original Instagram post nor from the terrorist organization Hamas. Meanwhile, Bundesliga soccer team 1. FSV Mainz 05 had its player Anwar El Ghazi released from games and training. In France, first division club OGC Nice suspended their professional Youcef Atal after he shared a video of a Palestinian preacher on Instagram. The French judicial authorities are investigating the 27-year-old on suspicion, among other things, of having publicly supported terrorism.
Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, sees the behavior of the football professionals as a reflection of society: “The players – even if they are professionals – are in a row with many people with a Palestinian background, with an Arab background, who we just see it on German streets today.” However, Schuster referred to the role model function of footballers: “I’m surprised that people aren’t able to clearly distance themselves from terror.” Football professionals are “of course more in the spotlight and should actually think more about whether they should be role models.”
Talks with Mazraoui announced
The FC Bayern recently announced that they would first seek a personal conversation with Mazraoui, before making a decision regarding possible consequences. The right-back was recently on an international trip with the Moroccan national team. However, he was not in the squad for the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia on Wednesday.
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Source: BR24Sport October 18, 2023 – 6:30 p.m
