Mainz Reinstates Dutch Winger El Ghazi After Pro-Palestine Post Controversy

"From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." Anwar El Ghazi’s publication of this famous slogan on Instagram and his statement that the situation in Palestine was "a genocide and mass destruction" had earned him a suspension. A "intolerable" position and contrary to the "values" of Mainz, according to the club’s management. In a press release published on Monday, the German club announced that it had lifted this suspension.

"Anwar El Ghazi was warned by FSV Mainz 05 for posting a message on social media two weeks ago. The 28-year-old Dutchman commented on the conflict in the Middle East in an intolerable way for the club. After the publication, the club immediately released its player from training and matches. Since then, in several conversations with the club management, El Ghazi has distanced himself from his publication on his Instagram account - a publication that he himself deleted after just a few minutes," explains Mainz.

According to the German club, the 28-year-old player regretted these posts and their negative impact, particularly for the entire club. "In this context, El Ghazi also clearly distanced himself from terrorist acts such as those of Hamas, which led to a new escalation of violence in the Middle East two weeks ago. He stressed his sympathy for the victims of this attack as well as with all the victims of this conflict. He clearly indicated that he did not question Israel’s right to exist [...]," continues the same source.

As a result, Mainz has reintegrated El Ghazi. "In the context of El Ghazi’s commitment and the remorse he has shown, the club’s culture of error management requires that the player be given a chance to reintegrate. Anwar El Ghazi will therefore resume training and matches at FSV Mainz 05 as soon as possible." The Dutch player has already returned to the Netherlands and is just waiting to resume training.