The Algerian international defender would have been very saddened by the mistake he made on social networks.
This Saturday, OGC Nice challenges Olympique de Marseille on the occasion of the 9e championship day. A great derby which will be played without Youcef Atal, the full-back of the Riviera team. The latter has just been suspended until further notice by his club.
Atal faces 7 years in prison
Atal was guilty of a reprehensible initiative on social networks. He shared a video of a preacher who asked to “send a black day on the Jews.” Content that he then hastened to remove, while apologizing, but the damage was done. The Algerian was accused of “apology of terrorism” and he will have to answer for his act.
Under pressure from politicians, OGCN was forced to suspend its player. And this sanction could be followed by another from the League’s Disciplinary Commission. Finally, it is possible that the former Kortrijk player will be punished criminally. A preliminary investigation was opened by the Nice public prosecutor’s office and a complaint for “provocation of hatred or violence in a region of a specific religion” was filed by the CRIF. If convicted, Atal could face up to seven years in prison.
According to the daily La Provence, Atal is very touched by this affair. On Wednesday, upon his return from selection and after having had a meeting with his managers, the player could not hold back his tears as he left the training center. He received public support from his coach Francesco Farioli and his captain Dante but it was not enough to ease his pain. Time will certainly do its work, unless justice takes its course and pronounces a harsh verdict against him to make an example of him.
