Anwar El Ghazi: Mainz forward has contract terminated after Israel-Hamas war social media post

Anwar El Ghazi’s contract at German club Mainz has been cancelled after the player posted a message on social media about the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The former Everton and Aston Villa forward was suspended by the Bundesliga club on October 17 after the now-deleted post, which was put online two days earlier, came to light.

Mainz distanced themselves from the post upon suspending the player, saying commenting on “complex conflicts” with “varying perspectives” is something that “does not align with the values of the club”.

The German club have confirmed El Ghazi’s contract has now been terminated “in response to comments and posts from the player on social media”.

El Ghazi responded on social media on Friday, saying: “‘Stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone.’

“The loss of my livelihood is nothing when compared to the hell being unleashed on the innocent and vulnerable in Gaza #stopthekilling.”

On Monday, Mainz said El Ghazi’s suspension was lifted following talks with the management and he would receive a reprimand, stating that the player “regrets publishing the post and also was remorseful about its negative impact”.

The club added that El Ghazi “also stated that he does not question Israel’s right to exist.”

However, in a social media post on Wednesday, El Ghazi indicated that the club had issued its statement without his permission.

“I do not regret or have any remorse for my position,” he wrote. “I do not distance myself from what I said and I stand, today and always until my last breath, for humanity and the oppressed.”

The 28-year-old, who also previously played for PSV Eindhoven, joined Mainz as a free agent in September and made three appearances as a substitute.