ANKARA, Turkiye: Anwar El Ghazi, a Dutch winger of Moroccan descent, has taken legal action against Mainz 05 after he was dismissed by the German club over a pro-Palestine social media post, Anadolu Agency cited a German news report yesterday (November 15).
The Bild reported that El Ghazi, 28, is suing Mainz after the German Bundesliga club terminated his contract earlier this month following a post on his Instagram story in which he expressed his support for the Palestinian people amid the Israel war on Gaza.
Mainz first suspended and then warned El Ghazi over the "River to the sea" phrase on his Instagram.
"From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is a Palestinian slogan that refers to the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
El Ghazi has been a free agent after he was released by Mainz on Nov 3 for "statements and posts on social media."
He later responded to the termination of his contract on X, writing "Stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone."
"The loss of my livelihood is nothing when compared to the hell being unleashed on innocent and vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza," said the former Dutch international.
Before Mainz, El Ghazi played for Dutch club Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, Aston Villa and Everton in England, and France's Lille. – Bernama