The days of Anwar El Ghazi as a player for FSV Mainz 05 seemed numbered, but the 28-year-old forward has been taken back into favor. The German club has given El Ghazi a warning for his social media post about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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El Ghazi got into controversy two weeks ago. The former attacker from Ajax and PSV concluded his post with the contentious phrase 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'. Mainz decided to suspend El Ghazi. It appeared that his two-year contract would be terminated, but that turns out not to be the case.
"El Ghazi has distanced himself from his message on his Instagram channel in various talks with the club's board, which he deleted himself after a few minutes," Mainz reports on official channels. "He regretted the publication and its negative impact, especially for the entire club. El Ghazi also clearly distanced himself from terrorist acts, such as those by Hamas, in front of the board. He made it clear that he did not question Israel's right to exist."
Nuance
On Instagram, El Ghazi already nuanced his previous post. "I condemn the killing of all innocent civilians in Palestine and Israel," wrote the forward. "My sympathies go out to the innocent victims of this conflict, regardless of their nationality. I am committed to a peaceful and integrated region in the Middle East. My previous statements on social media have been misunderstood, I want to make it clear that I stand up for peace and humanity for everyone."
According to the club, El Ghazi will return to Mainz’s training as soon as possible.
