by The Algerian defender of Nice Youcef Atal has been arrested, accused of inciting hatred for religious reasons, for having shared on his social networks a video in which a Palestinian preacher called for attacking Israel.
The footballer, who He was under investigation since October and had been suspended by his club, he could be brought to justice later today after being arrested late on Thursday.as reported this Friday by the local newspaper Nice Matin.
According to that source, Although the investigations initiated against him initially pointed to charges of advocacy of terrorism and public provocation to hatred or violence, finally the accusation that led to his provisional arrest refers to a possible crime of “provocation to racial hatred for reasons of religion.” “. “.
Following the terrorist attacks by the armed wing of the Islamist group Hamas on October 7 and the subsequent offensive against Gaza, The footballer published a video of a Palestinian preacher who prayed to God to send “a black day for the Jews” and asked to accompany “the hand” of the inhabitants of the Strip who “throw stones” against Israel.
The messages provoked the reaction of the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, who showed them “contrary to the ethics” of their sport and motivated both the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, and French Jewish institutions, to request that an investigation be opened.which may be a step prior to indictment.
The footballer, who has not hidden his support for the Palestinian people, He later apologized on social media and condemned “all forms of violence” and showed solidarity with the victims. “I will never support a message of hate,” said the 27-year-old Algerian international, who has played for Nice since 2018.
Atal, who played this weekend with his national team against Mozambique, was already involved in a similar scandal in 2020 and had to apologize.
