Anwar El Ghazi has won an appealed case against Bundesliga club Mainz 05, after it was found their dismissal of the player was wrongful. The two-time Netherlands international’s contract was cancelled following a series of social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A lawyer representing El Ghazi confirmed the court’s decision to BBC Sport, while Nujum Sports, an organisation for Muslim footballers, stated:
“Today’s landmark verdict in the case of Anwar El Ghazi against FSV Mainz is a victory not just for Anwar but for all athletes.
“We hope clubs and professional bodies take note and do not continue to repress legitimate freedom of speech by pressurising athletes to remain silent or adopt a particular narrative with the threat of terminating contracts.”
El Ghazi was resent in the case hearing. He is expected to be reinstated as a player at the Bundesliga club and seek a mutual termination of his contract. Reports in Germany said he is owed about £1.4m in salary and bonuses by the club.
The winger found himself in hot water when he was originally suspended on 17 October, following a social media post which included the controversial phrase “from the river to the sea”, a pro-Palestinian message which critics say implies the destruction of Israel.
That interpretation is disputed by some pro-Palestinian activists who say that most people chanting it are calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, not the destruction of Israel itself. El Ghazi was threatened with contract termination on 27 October but returned to the squad three days later, saying that he stands “for peace above everything”. However, later stating he didn’t distance himself from that sentiment, Mainz terminated his contract with immediate effect.
