Algerian defender Youcef Atal convicted of provoking racial hatred, bags eight-month suspended prison sentence

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Algerian defender Youcef Atal convicted of provoking racial hatred, bags eight-month suspended prison sentenceAlgerian defender Youcef Atal convicted of provoking racial hatred, bags eight-month suspended prison sentence Algerian and OGC Nice player Youcef Atal – Getty image Youcef Atal has been found guilty of provoking racial hatred and received eight-month suspended prison sentence along with €45,000 fine. The 27-year-old Algerian international was implicated after sharing a video on Instagram from Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat, who prayed for a “dark day” for Jewish people. Although Atal quickly deleted the post, it drew criticism, including from Nice’s mayor, Christian Estrosi, who stated that Atal would not be welcome at OGC Nice unless he denounced Hamas terrorists. Following the incident, Atal was suspended by both the France FA and his club, OGC Nice, and has not played since then. Algerian defender Youcef Atal convicted of provoking racial hatred, bags eight-month suspended prison sentenceAlgerian defender Youcef Atal convicted of provoking racial hatred, bags eight-month suspended prison sentenceAlgerian and OGC Nice player Youcef Atal – Getty image Speculation suggests that he may have already played his last game for the club, with interest reportedly coming from Turkish clubs. During the December hearing, the Nice Public Prosecutor sought a 10-month suspended prison sentence, but the tribunal decided on an eight-month suspended sentence. As part of the verdict, Atal is also required to cover the costs of publishing the verdict in Nice-Matin and Le Monde. Atal, currently on international duty with Algeria for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has ten days to appeal the decision.

Vinicius Junior’s red card overturned after racial abuse

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Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior was freed from suspension on Tuesday, May 23, after the red card he was awarded during a match against Valencia was rescinded. Vinicius was awarded his first professional red card for slapping Valencia star, Hugo Duro after he faced off with fans of the club at the end of the Mestalla stadium and pointed out one who had been racially abusing him.

Vinicius Junior's red card overturned after racial abuse

Vinicius during a training. Source: Getty The RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) has now taken action after being criticized over how it handled the incident. Recall that La Liga President Javier Tebas ignited a worldwide outrage after suggesting that Vinicius has not done enough to wade off racism. Shortly after handing out a €45,000 (£39,000/$48,000) fine against Valencia over the racial abuse and ordering a partial closure of the club’s stadium, the RFEF rescinded the Real Madrid star’s red card. The Spanish football federation’s Competition Committee said they accept Real Madrid’s complaint against Vinicius’ red card for hitting Valencia’s Hugo Duro on Sunday after reviewing the video footage. Vinicius Junior's red card overturned after racial abuseVinicius having a faceoff with Valencia fans who racially abused him. Source: Getty The initial footage omitted Duro grabbing Vinicius around the neck with his arm moment before the 22-year-old Brazilian slapped him. Duro who is a Spaniard received no punishment as the on-field referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea was not shown the events which led to the Brazil international’s reaction. Vinicius was set to receive a ban that would see him miss the rest of the season but he will now be available for selection again after the decision was overturned. The VAR official on the day of the incident, Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva, has also been stood down for the time being. The RFEF has also launched a campaign under the slogan ‘Racists, out of football’, which aims to eradicate racist and xenophobic attitudes from football by raising awareness among fans that discriminatory insults or attitudes will not be tolerated.