Nice Soccer Player Faces Trial for Pro-Palestine Social Media Post

Tough times for Youcef Atal. On Friday, the Nice prosecutor’s office announced his placement under judicial supervision in anticipation of his trial scheduled for December 18 before the criminal court. The day before, he was taken into custody at the Auvare barracks of the judicial police in Nice. The charge? "Incitement to hatred on the grounds of religion," explained the Nice prosecutor’s office. The OGCN Nice defender had shared in October - after the surprise and spectacular attack of Hamas against Israel - a video of Sheikh Mahmoud al-Hasanat asking God to send "a dark day on the Jews" and "to accompany the hand of the Palestinians if they throw the stone". This public support for Palestine had earned him a suspension until further notice decreed by his club, but also a seven-match suspension by the disciplinary commission of the Professional Football League effective October 31.

The Algerian international had apologized profusely after his support for Palestine sparked heated controversy. "I am aware that my publication has shocked several people, which was not my intention, and I apologize. I want to clarify my point of view without any ambiguity: I firmly condemn all forms of violence, wherever they may be in the world, and I support all victims," said the Nice defender. "I will never support a message of hatred. Peace is an ideal in which I firmly believe." Not enough to calm the spirits. The prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes and the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, known for his Islamophobic positions, had seized the matter.