Nice defender Youcef Atal has defended himself over sharing an anti-Semitic post on social media during the October international break. Appearing in court on Monday, the Algerian international explained why he shared a video from Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat on the Isreal-Hamas crisis. Atal said he believed it to be a message of peace for people suffering in war. In his opening statement, Atal expressed regret for not watching the video to the end and clarified his intention.
Youcef Atal – Getty image “I shared it because I thought it was really a message of peace. I want people to stop suffering. It’s not my intention to be against anyone. Unfortunately, I didn’t finish the video.” When questioned about the post’s author, Atal admitted he didn’t check and emphasized his focus on the message rather than the person behind it. He also explained that he removed the post and apologized following the club’s instructions. “I’m just a football player, I’m not trying to get into politics,” Atal added. Meanwhile, according to reports, Atal has been suspended by both the LFP and his club since October 1st. An insider information, as carried by Get Football News France, states that he won’t play for Nice again, with the club reportedly seeking to offload him in January.
