Youcef Atal, the Algerian defender for OGC Nice, has been temporarily suspended by his club following a preliminary investigation for apologizing for terrorism.
The player shared a post related to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, but quickly deleted it and apologized.
The club has decided to take preliminary sanctions, regardless of any measures taken by sports or judicial authorities.
OGC Nice affirms that the reputation and unity of the club rely on the behavior of its employees, in accordance with the values defended by the institution.
Reactions have multiplied to denounce the sharing of the video and the anti-Semitic comments made by a preacher.
Youcef Atal reacted by apologizing and strongly condemning any form of violence, without explaining why he shared the video.
The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) has filed a complaint against the player, while the prosecutor of Nice has opened an investigation for apologizing for terrorism and incitement to hatred or violence.
The French Football Federation (FFF) has also been informed by the ethics council and has condemned the calls for violence relayed by the player.
The southeast branch of the CRIF has also filed a complaint against Youcef Atal.
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