OGC Nice have suspended defender Youcef Atal, days after he shared a post regarding the ongoing Israel and Palestine conflict.
Atal is also set to be investigated for the alleged anti-Semitic video that he posted on Instagram.
Youcef Atal posted a now-deleted video of Palestine preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
In the footage, al-Hasanat could be seen apparently requesting for God to “send Jewish people a dark day”.
This is not the first time he has been involved in social media controversy. In 2020, he liked an Instagram post that seemingly showed that he was defending acts of violence.
Atal apologized at the time for liking the post on Instagram, saying that he wasn’t intending to hurt anyone.
The 27-year-old joined OGC Nice from Belgian club KV Kortrijk on July 17, 2018, for a fee of €3 million.
He has made 6 appearances for the club this season, scoring 1 goal and providing no assist across all competitions.
The Algerian defender’s post on Instagram angered many individuals
Meanwhile, Youcef Atal’s recent post on Instagram garnered the interest of many, with the mayor of Nice infuriated with the defender’s stance.
Mayor Christian Estrosi expressed that the Algerian should not continue plying his trade with his current club except he “denounces Hamas terrorists”.
According to an announcement by the Nice public prosecutor’s office, the 27-year-old is also being investigated on charges “of defending terrorism”.
Additionally, Atal is also being investigated for inciting the public to hatred or violence due to a “particular religion”.
President of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, has also lambasted Youcef Atal’s post on Instagram.
The French football governing body are also conducting an investigation on the Algeria international.
An excerpt from the comments made by Diallo read: “The calls for violence relayed by OGC Nice player Youcef Atal are contrary to the ethics of our sport and the values that football tirelessly defends.”
“The FFF condemns them with the most extreme firmness. Hate speech cannot be allowed.”
Atal had been with Algeria during the international break and was called to speak with OGC Nice as soon as he arrived in France.
OGC Nice have suspended Youcef Atal
Following their deliberation, the Ligue 1 club released a statement confirming the suspension of Youcef Atal.
They also noted that the player “recognised” he had made a blunder and made needed corrections to that effect.
An excerpt from a statement released by the French club read:
“OGC Nice understands that the player recognised his error by quickly withdrawing the sharing of the publication and presented his written and public apologies.
“However, given the nature of the shared publication and its seriousness, the club took the decision to immediately take the first disciplinary sanctions against the player, prior to those that could be decided by the sporting and judicial authorities.
“As such, the club has decided to suspend Youcef Atal until further notice.”
Youcef Atal apology statement on Instagram
On Sunday, October 15, 2023, Atal took to Instagram to send out an apology for his controversial post.
He wrote: “I am aware that my post shocked many people, which wasn’t my intention, and I apologise.
“I want to clarify my point of view without any ambiguity: I strongly denounce all forms of violence, wherever in the world, and I support all victims.
“I would never support a message of hate. Peace is an ideal in which I strongly believe.”
Cumulatively, Youcef Atal has made 115 appearances for OGC Nice, scoring 12 goals and providing 8 assists across all competitions.
