Anwar El Ghazi posted a defiant message on social media after being fired by Mainz for comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Bundesliga club announced their decision in a brief statement on Friday: “ FSV Mainz 05 terminated Anwar El Ghazi’s contract with immediate effect this Friday. The club has taken this action in response to the player’s comments and messages on social media.
But the Dutch winger remained unrepentant, taking to Instagram to post: “ The loss of my livelihood is nothing compared to the hell being unleashed on the innocent and vulnerable in Gaza. »
Mainz suspended El Ghazi last month after the player posted a message on Instagram expressing support for the plight of Palestinians caught up in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The matter appeared close to being resolved on Monday when Mainz lifted the suspension, saying the player had received a warning and had shown remorse for the since-deleted post.
But the problem escalated again on Wednesday when El Ghazi made a statement contradicting the club, writing: “I have no regrets and I have no remorse for my position. I do not distance myself from what I said and I defend, today and always until my last breath, humanity and the oppressed.”
Mainz reacted to the statement by expressing surprise and promising to “examine the facts from a legal point of view” before making the decision to terminate El Ghazi’s contract.
The 28-year-old joined Mainz this summer after playing for Ajax, Lille, Aston Villa and PSV. Before his suspension, he had made just three appearances as a substitute for his new club, who remain bottom ahead of this weekend’s match against RB Leipzig.
