OGC Nice defender Youcef Atal (27) is the subject of an investigation by the Nice public prosecutor after the Algerian international shared an anti-semitic message on social media.
Atal shared a video from Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat, who asked God to “send Jewish people a dark day.” The video, shared on Atal’s Instagram, was quickly deleted by the Algerian international. Amidst the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, Atal’s post garnered criticism, notably from the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, who said that unless he “denounces Hamas terrorists, he no longer has a place at [OGC Nice].”
The Nice defender apologised for sharing the video on Sunday and added, “I would never support a message of hate. Peace is an ideal in which I strongly believe.” L’Équipe reported that the LFP would open an investigation.
A press release from the public prosecutor has now revealed that a preliminary investigation is now underway. Atal is being investigated for “condoning terrorism and public provocation of hate or violence based on religion.”
Atal was also at the centre of controversy in 2020 when he liked an Instagram post, which was interpreted as condoning violence. The Nice defender apologised hours later, assuring that he didn’t “mean to hurt anyone.”
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
