Algerian footballer trialled for “inciting hatred”
On December 18, French prosecutors requested that Algerian footballer Youcef Atal be handed a ten-month prison sentence as well as a 45,000 Euro fine for “inciting racial hatred”, according to French-language Belgian newspaper Le Soir and agencies.
The right-back, who plays for Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice, shared a video to his 3.2 million Instagram followers calling for a “black day for Jews” shortly after Hamas’ shock assault on southern Israel on October 7.
The clip was an apparent reference to a “second Kristallnacht” and is supportive of such move.
Atal, 27, claimed to have not fully watched the 35-second-long clip whilst on trial, adding, “I thought there was a message of peace for the people who were suffering in this war (between Israel and Gaza),”
The Algerian international has not played for Nice since September and played his most recent match for his national team in a 2-0 victory away to Mozambique in a World Cup qualifier last month. He has been ordered not to travel abroad expect to play football.
His Algerian teammates pleaded for leniency highlighting that he had apologised for the offensive posts and echoing the player’s words that he had not fully watched the video.
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Atal claimed, “I’m not an anti-Semite. I’m not against Jews, I’m not against Christians, I don’t hate anyone,” adding that he did not think twice about playing in Israel. In August 2022, he featured in a match for Nice against Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel in which the French side lost 1-0.
The 27-year old’s lawyer, Antoine Vey, claimed that, “He sent a message of support to the Palestinians in Gaza. For him, this is peace, and he is not the only one.”
Since October 7, 19,000 Gazans have been slaughtered by bellicose Israeli forces according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Deputy Prosecutor Meggi Choutia said,”These are serious facts, which should not be trivialized. To share a video is to take credit for the words and give them visibility,” adding in her closing remarks, “At no point during those 35 seconds is there any question of peace,”
The prosecutor also acknowledged that Atal receiving a suspended prison sentence would be a clear warning to him and others to think carefully before publishing content on social media and elsewhere.
The judgement on the Algerian’s case has been reserved until January 3.
Le Soir/ Reuters/ BBC News
