Nov 3, 2023 at 6:07 PM Update: 35 minutes ago
FSV Mainz 05 fired Anwar El Ghazi on Friday. The 28-year-old attacker was suspended two weeks ago because he had posted a pro-Palestinian message on Instagram in response to the war in Gaza. The German Public Prosecution Service has also opened an investigation into El Ghazi for sedition.
“FSV Mainz terminated its contractual partnership with Anwar El Ghazi with immediate effect on Friday,” read a statement from the Bundesliga club. “The club is taking this measure in response to statements and messages from the player on social media.”
El Ghazi posted a pro-Palestinian post on Instagram following the war in Gaza and was subsequently suspended by Mainz. The two-time Dutch international was given a new chance after intensive discussions, but El Ghazi subsequently stated that he had not been informed about the released club statement.
Mainz then reconsidered the future of El Ghazi, who previously played in the Netherlands for Ajax and PSV. On Friday afternoon it was decided to terminate his contract. El Ghazi responded to the decision via Instagram on Friday evening.
“I stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone. Losing my livelihood is nothing compared to the hell the innocent and vulnerable in Gaza are experiencing, #stopthekilling,” the 28-year-old attacker wrote.
The German Public Prosecution Service (OM) also reported on Friday that an investigation into El Ghazi is being initiated. “According to our assessment, there is a serious suspicion against the suspect for disrupting public order by approving crimes in combination with incitement to hatred and spreading it,” the Public Prosecution Service said.
Anwar El Ghazi has only played for Mainz since September. Photo: Getty Images
El Ghazi did not recognize himself in the Mainz statement
Mainz reported earlier this week that El Ghazi distanced himself from his message on social media after several conversations with the board. “He has distanced himself from terrorist acts, such as those of Hamas,” the club wrote. “He has made it clear that he does not question Israel’s right to exist.”
El Ghazi did not recognize Mainz’s statement and distanced himself from the message. “To be clear, my statement on October 27, 2023 was my only and final statement regarding my social media posts over the past few weeks,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I am against war and violence, against the killing of all innocent civilians, against all forms of discrimination, against Islamophobia, against anti-Semitism, against genocide, against apartheid, against occupations and against oppression. I, and we as a world, cannot remain silent We must now call for an end to the killing in Gaza!”
Mainz was co-founded in 1905 by Eugen Salomon, a German of Jewish descent. He was also the club’s first chairman. On November 14, 1942, he was murdered in Auschwitz concentration camp, after having fled to France in 1933. The access road to the current stadium is named after Salomon.
El Ghazi has only played for Mainz since the end of September. He came over on a free transfer from PSV, where his contract was terminated shortly before because he was not in the plans of coach Peter Bosz.
2023-11-03 18:48:45
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