Nice defender Youcef Atal has appeared in court today over sharing an anti-Semitic post on social media over the October international break. The Algerian international defended himself in court over relaying a post from Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat on his social media, calling for God to “send Jewish people a dark day.” The following was reported from the court-room by RMC Sport.
“I shared the video because I thought it was a message of peace and that people are suffering during this war. Unfortunately, I regret not seeing it through to the end,” said Atal in his opening statement. “I shared it because I thought it was really a message of peace. I want people to stop suffering. It’s not my intention to be against anyone. Unfortunately I didn’t finish the video.”
Atal pleads levity, confirms club told him to remove post
The prosecutor questioned Atal whether he checked who was the author of the post. “No, I didn’t have that reflex. I saw the video and posted it so that people wouldn’t suffer. I wasn’t more interested in the person. At the beginning, he was talking about people so that they wouldn’t suffer any more and I shared it.” Atal was also asked about the reasons for the removal and the apology. “Who called you to remove?” he asks him. “It was the club, the sporting director who called me. I removed the video and sent a message of apology,” explained Atal.
“I’m just a football player, I’m not trying to get into politics. I shared without looking until the end and then I sent a message of apology. A sincere apology,” said the Algerian international, reportedly emotional in the court room.
Atal has not played for Nice since 1st October, suspended not only by the LFP but also by his own club. Nice-Matin reported that the defender won’t play for Les Aiglons again – with the club looking to offload the player in January.
GFFN | George Boxall
