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Rabat. – Algerian International football player Youcef Atal, who plays for Ligue 1 club Nice and the Algerian national team, received an eight-month suspended prison sentence from a French court over his support for Gaza amid Israeli aggression and oppression of Palestinian civilians.
Today, the French criminal court of Nice announced its verdict against the OGC Nice player for the charges, including incitement to hatred.
Atal will also pay a fine of €45,000.
The court’s decision came after Atal publicly shared his position on the Israeli war against Palestinians, which has been ongoing since October 7.
In October, the football player posted social media content expressing support for Gaza amid Israeli aggression, targeting civilians across Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
He shared a video on his Instagram shortly after the Israeli violence erupted on October 7. The video featured the Palestinian preacher Mahmoud Al Hasanat addressing the devastating situation in Gaza, and calling for support to Palestinians in their plight.
The preacher also reportedly advocated for a “dark day for the Jews.”
Facing suspension from his club and criticism from many in France, the 27-year-old footballer later apologized and deleted the post.
Two associations, the International League against Racism and anti-Semitism (Licra) and the Jewish Observatory of France, have filed civil actions against the player.
Atal is not the first football player to face a fierce criticism campaign following his support for Palestine. Several other players, like Morocco’s Noussair Mazaoui, who plays for German club Bayern Munich, also faced serious accusations after expressing support for Palestine amid escalating violence against Palestinians from Israel.
Israeli occupation forces continue their aggression and bloody campaign, in which over 22,000 have been killed, including women and children.
