Footballer Youcef Atal Given Suspended Sentence In France Over Gaza Post (image-instagram/youcefatal)
Algerian footballer Youcef Atal has been handed over with eight-month suspended prison sentence for the post he shared on social media regarding the ongoing war in Gaza.
The French court said on Wednesday that the video reposted by the player invoked hatred on the basis of religion. The Nice Criminal court also ruled to pay a fine of 45,000 Euros.
The 27-year-old will remain suspended by his club Nice “until further notice”.
The football player posted the video of a preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat five days after the October 7 start of the war. In the video shared, the preacher after speaking on retaliatory attack against Palestine by Israel, Al Hasanat made a controversial comment by calling on God to “guide the hand” of Gaza Palestinians striking back.
Atal shared the video while he was playing with his Algerian national team and later withdrew the content when got warned by Nice in the following day. Atal apologized and said that he would never support a message of hate and that he condemns violence “no matter where in the world”.
During the court proceedings, the footballer though apologized again saying he had wanted to send a “message of peace” and did not watch the entire 36 second video before posting it, the prosecutors and plaintiffs remained unconvinced.
“Sharing a video means being party to its message and lending its visibility,” prosecutor Meggi Choutia told the court.
Nice has suspended the player and he has received a seven-match ban, which has since expired from the Professional Football League (LFP).
Atal was previously detained by French authorities in November due to the post and was released on bail of 80,000 euros. The player was then placed under judicial supervision until the trail.
However, Atal received eminent support from his home country and has appeared three times for the Algerian national team. The players will also be a part of the squad in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations competition.
Atal Youcef is one among many players who have faced backlash for showing their stance with Gaza in public.
French legendry player Karim Benzema was linked to Muslim Brotherhood without any evidence by France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. A French senator even asked for stripping of his previous achievements and French citizenship for sharing a post against Israel’s assault on Gaza.
