NICE: Algerian international footballer Youcef Atal goes on trial in France Monday accused of inciting hatred after posting a video in which a Palestinian preacher purportedly threatens Israel with a “black day.”
Atal, who plays for Ligue 1 side Nice, shared the video on his Instagram account, which has 3.2 million followers, shortly after the attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7 in which 1,139 people were killed.
In an extract of the footage seen by AFP, the preacher, Mahmoud Al Hasanat, at first talked about the plight of children in Gaza.
Prosecutors said they also identified another extract in which he called on God to “send the Jews a black day,” and “steady the hands” of Gaza inhabitants if they should “throw stones.”
The 27-year old defender, who quickly deleted the post and issued an apology, was suspended by his club while prosecutors probed the incident for suspected “justification of terrorism.”
But they dropped that line of investigation after watching the video and questioning the player, instead charging him with “incitement to religious hatred.”
Two associations, the International League against Racism and anti-Semitism (Licra) and the Jewish Observatory of France, have brought civil actions against the player.
If found guilty, Atal could be sentenced to up to one year in prison and fined 45,000 euros ($49,000).
He has been under judicial supervision with a ban on traveling abroad except to play professional football.
His club quickly suspended him “until further notice” after the post, while the professional football league banned him for seven matches.
Some of Atal’s Algerian team mates argued for leniency, saying he had apologized and not actually watched the video until the end before posting it.
The deadliest ever Gaza war began with unprecedented attacks by Hamas against Israel on October 7, when the group killed 1,139 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250, according to updated Israeli figures.
The health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said some 19,000 people have been killed in Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
Algerian footballer on trial in France over Gaza post
https://arab.news/wrv8u
Algerian footballer on trial in France over Gaza post
- The 27-year old defender, who quickly deleted the post and issued an apology, was suspended by his club
- Two associations have brought civil actions against the player
PSG, Marseille looking to bounce back after Champions League losses
- PSG are going through a mediocre patch, having lost two of their last three matches
- On paper, the task faced by Marseille are more difficult, hosting leader Lens
PARIS: After they were beaten midweek in the Champions League, Ligue 1 rivals Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille need to be more convincing back on the domestic stage.
PSG, which became European champion for the first time last season, lost at Sporting 2-1 and Marseille were overwhelmed by Liverpool 3-0 at home.
PSG are going through a mediocre patch, having lost two of their last three matches across competitions. Friday’s game at second-to-last Auxerre should help Luis Enrique’s team rebuild some confidence.
On paper, the task faced by Marseille are more difficult, hosting leader Lens at Stade Velodrome.
Key matchups
Lens travel south in full confidence after recording a 10th consecutive win across all competitions last weekend. Lens claimed their only French title in 1998 and have a one-point lead over defending champion PSG.
Third-placed Marseille, meanwhile, have been putting on brilliant displays and boast the league’s best attacking record, with 41 goals after 18 rounds. But the nine-time champion have also been inconsistent at the back. The setback to Liverpool marked the first time since March 2022 that Marseille lost back-to-back home games without scoring.
Before the trip to Auxerre, PSG boss Luis Enrique said it’s time for his team to take control of Ligue 1.
“We’re not yet where we want to be in the league,” he said. “We need to keep working hard and trying to win. We’re used to deep defensive blocks. That’s often how our opponents play against us. We want to become leaders but Lens are in great form with 10 consecutive wins. It’s exciting.”
Players to watch
Adrien Thomasson has played a crucial role in Lens’ rise to the top. Thomasson has been thriving since he was repositioned in a deeper role. Alongside PSG’s Vitinha, he is the joint top assist provider with six, and has two goals.
PSG defender Achraf Hakimi, back from the Africa Cup of Nations after losing with Morocco to Senegal in a chaotic final, won’t play against Auxerre. The club said he will train indoors this weekend.
Off the field
French magazine Paris Match reported this week that PSG and France defender Lucas Hernandez has been accused of human trafficking and undeclared work.
The magazine said a Colombian family accused the player and his wife of having employed them without a legal framework and with excessively long working hours. The Versailles public prosecutor’s office told French media that an investigation was underway.
