LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – OGC Nice’s defender, Youcef Atal, has issued an apology for posting an anti-Semitic video on his Instagram page.
The Algerian international shared a video featuring Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat but deleted it shortly after due to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
In the video, al-Hasanat made inflammatory statements against Jewish people.
Atal’s controversial post quickly gained attention, and Nice’s mayor, Christian Estrosi, stated that the 27-year-old should not have a future at the club unless he denounces Hamas terrorists.
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The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) is set to investigate the incident, as reported by L’Equipe.
On Sunday, Atal took to Instagram once more to apologize for the deleted post.
He stated, “I am aware that my post shocked many people, which wasn’t my intention, and I apologize. I want to clarify my point of view without any ambiguity:
“I strongly denounce all forms of violence, wherever in the world, and I support all victims. I would never support a message of hate. Peace is an ideal in which I strongly believe.”
Atal, who joined Nice from Algerian side Paradou AC in 2018 and has made over 100 appearances for the Ligue 1 club, has faced social media controversy in the past.
In 2020, he liked an Instagram post that appeared to condone violence, but he also issued an apology at that time, stating that he didn’t mean to hurt anyone.