OGC Nice suspend Algerian Youcef Atal over anti-semitic video controversy

OGC Nice have suspended Youcef Atal over sharing an anti-semitic video on his social media platform, regarding Israeli-Hamas conflict.

The French football club disclosed this in a statement on their official website on Wednesday, condemning the player’s post.

Atal’s video was from Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat, containing controversial content, where prayers were asked for a payback day for the Jewish people.

Although the video has been deleted by the Algerian international, it had already garnered attention.

Meanwhile, Atal recognizing the sensitive nature of his post, issued a public apology the following day.

However, upon his return from the Algerian national team, where he had been since October 9, he will embark on an indefinite suspension, as has been agreed by the leadership of OGC Nice.

The club stated, “OGC Nice understands that the player recognized his error by quickly withdrawing the sharing of the publication and presented his written and public apologies.

“However, given the nature of the shared publication and its seriousness, the club took the decision to immediately take the first disciplinary sanctions against the player, prior to those that could be decided by the sporting and judicial authorities.

“As such, the club has decided to suspend Youcef Atal until further notice,” the statement added.