Youcef Atal shared a video on Instagram calling for “a black day for the Jews”.
The OGC Nice player, Youcef Atal, criticized for having relayed on Instagram a video calling for “a black day for the Jews”, apologized on the social network this Sunday: “I am aware that my publication shocked several people, which was not my intention, and I apologize for that”he wrote. “I will never support a message of hatred. Peace is an ideal in which I firmly believe”added the player.
The National Ethics Council of the French Football Federation, however, took up the matter. “The calls for violence relayed by OGC Nice player Youcef Atal are contrary to the ethics of our sport and the values that football tirelessly defends. The FFF condemns them in the most extreme firmness. Hate speech cannot be admitted.”reacted the FFF.
Outrage by Christian Estrosi
The mayor (Horizons) of Nice, Christian Estrosi, was outraged on X (ex-Twitter) about the player’s position: “I expect Youcef Atal, if he allowed himself to be exploited, to apologize and denounce the Hamas terrorists”he wrote.
In an ephemeral publication (story) on the social network Instagram, OGC Nice right-back Youcef Atal relayed a video of preacher Sheikh Mahmoud al-Hasanat who declared: “May God send a dark day for the Jews”, France Bleu Azur reported this Sunday. The mayor of Nice believes that this player “would no longer have its place” in the Nice football club, if he did not apologize.
“I would like to clarify my point of view without any ambiguity: I strongly condemn all forms of violence, anywhere in the world, and I support all victims,” wrote Youcef Atal on Instagram this Sunday afternoon.