A French court on Wednesday issued an eight-month suspended sentence to Algerian international footballer Youcef Atal for inciting religious hatred in a social media post addressing the Gaza conflict.
The Nice criminal court has ruled that the 27-year-old defender, currently with Ligue 1 side Nice, is obligated to pay a 45,000 euros ($49,000) fine. This follows his sharing of a video advocating for a “black day for the Jews.
“Furthermore, he is to bear the responsibility of financing the publication of his conviction details, set to be disclosed in the regional daily Nice-Matin and the national newspaper Le Monde.
The contentious remarks were made in a video featuring preacher Mahmoud Al Hasanat, which Atal shared on his Instagram account boasting 3.2 million followers. This occurred just five days after the violent October 7 assault by Hamas on Israel.
Israel, in response to the October 7 assault by Hamas, initiated a campaign against the militant group, with the death toll surpassing 22,000 lives, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory.
Al Hasanat, having talked about the children impacted by the bombardments, invoked God to bring about a “black day for the Jews” and to guide the hand of Gazans responding to the attacks.
Read also: Israeli Army Sets Course For Gaza Conflict Throughout 2024
Atal, present in his home country, shared the video while with the Algerian national team.
After a warning from Nice regarding potential controversy, Atal withdrew the video the next day, accompanied by a sincere apology.
Atal had apologised again to the court during the hearings, saying he had wanted to send a “message of peace” and did not watch the entire 35-second video before posting it.
That argument did not convince prosecutors or plaintiffs, mostly Jewish organisations and the Professional Football League (LFP).
‘Sharing a video means being party to its message and lending it visibility’ prosecutor Meggi Choutia told the court.
‘There is no talk of peace at any moment in these 35 seconds,’ she added.
Nice have suspended Atal from playing “until further notice”, while he received a seven-match ban — since expired — from the LFP.
However, he has already played three times for Algeria’s Fennecs, is currently included in their squad for the impending Africa Cup of Nations tournament, and enjoys support in his home country.