Bayern Munich to Meet with Mazraoui Over Controversial Social Media Posts

"FC Bayern immediately contacted Noussair Mazroui following his Instagram posts on Sunday. The player is currently in Africa with the Moroccan team. After his return, a detailed personal interview with the club management in Munich is planned," reads a message from the German club posted on X. Bayern Munich continues: "Regardless of this, everyone, including every employee and every player, knows what the values of FC Bayern are. We have expressed this publicly and unequivocally in a message immediately after the terrorist attack in Israel. We are concerned for our friends in Israel and we stand by their side. At the same time, we hope for a peaceful coexistence for all peoples of the Middle East."

The publication of this message comes after the position taken by the Moroccan international on the surprise and spectacular attack of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and Israel’s retaliation. Mazraoui expressed his support for Palestine, thus taking the opposite position to that of Bayern Munich. In a video posted on Instagram showing the image of a waving Palestinian flag, accompanied by a voiceover resembling a prayer: "God help our persecuted brothers in Palestine, so that they may obtain victory. May God have mercy on the dead, may God heal the wounded," the Moroccan international wished for the "victory" of the Palestinians in the conflict that opposes them to Israel. This has sparked reactions from Internet users. Some have defended the Moroccan while others have called for his immediate dismissal.

Faced with the controversy, the Atlas Lion has sought to clarify his messages. "First of all, I would like to say that it is really disappointing that I have to explain what I represent. There is a situation where thousands of innocents are being murdered every day. [...] We must all oppose and denounce it. It is simply inhumane," he begins. He will add: "My position is to work for peace and justice in this world. This means that I will always be against all forms of terrorism, hatred and violence. And that’s something I’ll always support. [...] That’s why I don’t understand why people think the opposite of me and why I’m associated with hateful groups. [...] Finally, I want to make it clear that I never intended to offend or hurt anyone, consciously or unconsciously."