OGC Nice defender Youcef Atal (27) has apologised for sharing an anti-semitic social media post on Saturday. The LFP disciplinary commission is set to investigate the case, according to L’Équipe.
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 has now taken to Instagram on Sunday to apologise. “I am aware that my post shocked many people, which wasn’t my intention, and I apologise,” began Atal.
He continued, “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.” Despite Atal’s apology, the LFP’s disciplinary commission will investigate the case.
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
