1. FSV Mainz 05 has made a decision in the Anwar El-Ghazi case. The Rheinhessen commented on their homepage.
Professional footballer Anwar El Ghazi has caused quite a stir in the past few days and weeks with controversial Instagram posts about the Gaza war. Now 1. FSV Mainz 05 has made a decision.
“1. FSV Mainz 05 is ending the contractual relationship with Anwar El Ghazi and terminated the player on Friday with immediate effect. With this measure, the club is responding to the player’s statements and posts on social media,” writes the club.
El Ghazi then shared another pro-Palestinian Instagram post, quoting: “Stand up for what is right, even if you stand alone.” He also wrote that the loss of his livelihood was nothing compared to the suffering of the people of Gaza.
Public prosecutor is investigating El Ghazi
It was previously known that the Koblenz Public Prosecutor General had begun investigations against El Ghazi. There is initial suspicion of incitement, as the authorities confirmed to SWR.
Several posts on the Middle East conflict
In the middle of that, another post from the 28-year-old went online in which he indirectly accused his club of lying. The FSV announced on Monday that El Ghazi showed remorse after his first anti-Israel post and was reintegrated after a warning.
But El Ghazi then explained that he “doesn’t regret his position and has no remorse. I don’t distance myself from what I said.“In fact, he will stand up for humanity and the oppressed until my last breath.” His “position remains what it has always been,” emphasized the Dutchman with Moroccan roots.
TV tip
Bo Svensson resigned, Anwar El Ghazi terminated without notice, 18th place in the table: The situation at FSV Mainz 05 will be analyzed live on television on Sunday evening from 10:05 p.m. on SWR Sport.
He is “against war and violence”, against “the killing of all innocent civilians, every form of discrimination, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, genocide, apartheid, occupation and oppression”. Therefore, he “could not remain silent in good conscience.” El Ghazi concluded his contribution with the words: “We must now demand an end to the killing in Gaza!”
Exemption after first posting
After his first statement about the war in Gaza, El Ghazi was released from training and games. Several conversations followed with the FSV board in which, according to the club, he distanced himself from his Instagram post, which has now been deleted. This was the starting point in mid-October. After the attack on Israel by Hamas-sponsored terrorists on October 7, he wrote: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” What is meant is that Palestine should extend from the Jordan to the Mediterranean. This, in a sense, denies Israel its right to exist.
