Dutch forward Anwar El Ghazi has filed a lawsuit against former club Mainz for dismissing him wrongfully.
Mainz 05 ended El Ghazi's contract on November 2, 2023, following a spate of posts on the player's social media account relating to conflict involving Israel and Palestine.
Anwar El Ghazi's legal representative has also expressed that he didn't see any instance in the Dutchman's post that wasn't covered by “freedom of expression”.
Mainz 05 have also admitted to being abreast of the case by their former player's legal team.
However, the club have revealed that they will not be given any thoughts further on it, as the matter is an “ongoing legal proceeding.”
Reports also indicate that Anwar El Ghazi has been a target of abuse in recent weeks, with many of such include death threats against the player and his family.
The player has also been labeled a “terrorist”, due to his continuous support of Palestine amid the ongoing conflict.
It has been noticed that the majority of such abusive messages have emanated from the United Kingdom.
As such, the case has been tabled before the United Kingdom Policing Unit to conduct a distinct investigation.
Anwar El Ghazi was initially suspended by Mainz 05 on October 17, 2023, after a post shared by the footballer on social media, and the post included a controversial phrase that reads: “from the river to the sea”.
This message is apparently one in support of Palestine which several critics have expressed that it implies the ripping up of Israel.
However, many have countered that notion, with pro-Palestine activists who say that most people chanting are requesting an end to Israel's occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, and not the destruction of Israel.
An excerpt from the statement shared by Mainz 05 revealing the termination of Anwar El Ghazi's contract wrote that the footballer “took a position on the conflict in the Middle East in a manner that wasn't tolerable for the club”.
The Dutchman was threatened with contract termination by Mainz 05 on October 27, 2023, but he got back to the squad just three days later after giving initial assurances to the club that he stands for peace.
Mainz 05 also released a statement on reinstating El Ghazi, writing: “Given his commitment to upholding the club's values and the remorse shown, and in keeping with the club's culture of using mistakes as an opportunity to learn, El Ghazi will return to training and matchday-related activities.”
However, in a subsequent message shared on social media by Anwar El Ghazi, the player stated that he hasn't changed his stance and is still firmly in support of Palestine.
He wrote: “I do not distance myself from what I said and stand for humanity and on the side of the oppressed until the last day I breathe.”
After seeing the path the player has chosen to take, Mainz 05 opted to terminate the contract of the former Aston Villa and Everton winger.
El Ghazi also strongly insisted after he was fired that he was unperturbed by the development, stressing that:
“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.”
Mainz 05 have an age-long relationship with Israel, as one of the club's first Chairman, Eugen Salomon was a Jewish man and he was stripped of his position at the club by the Nazis in 1933.
Salomon was subsequently killed in the Holocaust in 1942, and the Holocaust undertaken by Nazi Germany led to the loss of life of about 6 million Jews.
Anwar El Ghazi has played 301 games thus far in his career, representing notable clubs in Europe, including; Ajax, Lille, and PSV Eindhoven.
The former Sparta Rotterdam man has scored 64 goals and provided 39 assists so far in his football career.
Mainz 05 ended El Ghazi's contract on November 2, 2023, following a spate of posts on the player's social media account relating to conflict involving Israel and Palestine.
Anwar El Ghazi's legal representative has also expressed that he didn't see any instance in the Dutchman's post that wasn't covered by “freedom of expression”.
Mainz 05 have also admitted to being abreast of the case by their former player's legal team.
However, the club have revealed that they will not be given any thoughts further on it, as the matter is an “ongoing legal proceeding.”
Reports also indicate that Anwar El Ghazi has been a target of abuse in recent weeks, with many of such include death threats against the player and his family.
The player has also been labeled a “terrorist”, due to his continuous support of Palestine amid the ongoing conflict.
It has been noticed that the majority of such abusive messages have emanated from the United Kingdom.
As such, the case has been tabled before the United Kingdom Policing Unit to conduct a distinct investigation.
Anwar El Ghazi was initially suspended by Mainz 05 on October 17, 2023, after a post shared by the footballer on social media, and the post included a controversial phrase that reads: “from the river to the sea”.
This message is apparently one in support of Palestine which several critics have expressed that it implies the ripping up of Israel.
However, many have countered that notion, with pro-Palestine activists who say that most people chanting are requesting an end to Israel's occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, and not the destruction of Israel.
An excerpt from the statement shared by Mainz 05 revealing the termination of Anwar El Ghazi's contract wrote that the footballer “took a position on the conflict in the Middle East in a manner that wasn't tolerable for the club”.
The Dutchman was threatened with contract termination by Mainz 05 on October 27, 2023, but he got back to the squad just three days later after giving initial assurances to the club that he stands for peace.
Mainz 05 also released a statement on reinstating El Ghazi, writing: “Given his commitment to upholding the club's values and the remorse shown, and in keeping with the club's culture of using mistakes as an opportunity to learn, El Ghazi will return to training and matchday-related activities.”
However, in a subsequent message shared on social media by Anwar El Ghazi, the player stated that he hasn't changed his stance and is still firmly in support of Palestine.
He wrote: “I do not distance myself from what I said and stand for humanity and on the side of the oppressed until the last day I breathe.”
After seeing the path the player has chosen to take, Mainz 05 opted to terminate the contract of the former Aston Villa and Everton winger.
El Ghazi also strongly insisted after he was fired that he was unperturbed by the development, stressing that:
“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.”
Mainz 05 have an age-long relationship with Israel, as one of the club's first Chairman, Eugen Salomon was a Jewish man and he was stripped of his position at the club by the Nazis in 1933.
Salomon was subsequently killed in the Holocaust in 1942, and the Holocaust undertaken by Nazi Germany led to the loss of life of about 6 million Jews.
Anwar El Ghazi has played 301 games thus far in his career, representing notable clubs in Europe, including; Ajax, Lille, and PSV Eindhoven.
The former Sparta Rotterdam man has scored 64 goals and provided 39 assists so far in his football career.