ANKARA – Anwar El Ghazi, a Dutch footballer of Moroccan descent, has taken legal action against Mainz 05 for being dismissed by the German club over a pro-Palestine social media post, Anadolu Agency cited a German media report today.
Bild reported that El Ghazi, 28, is suing Mainz after the Bundesliga club terminated his contract earlier in November following a post on his Instagram story in which he expressed his support for the Palestinian people amid Israel’s war on Gaza.
Mainz first suspended and then warned El Ghazi over his use of the phrase “from the river to the sea” on his Instagram story.
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is a Palestinian slogan that refers to the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
El Ghazi has been a free agent after he was released by Mainz on November 3 for “statements and posts on social media.”
He later responded to the termination of his contract on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone.”
“The loss of my livelihood is nothing when compared to the hell being unleashed on the innocent and vulnerable in Gaza,” said the former Dutch international.
Before Mainz, El Ghazi played for Dutch clubs Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, England’s Aston Villa and Everton, and France’s Lille. – November 16, 2023