Ligue 1 outfit Nice have suspended Algerian right-back Youcef Atal until further notice after the 27-year-old shared an apparent anti-Semitic post on social media.
Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine, Atal uploaded a video of Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat calling on God to "send Jewish people a dark day" to his Instagram.
Atal hastily took down the video and apologised for his actions, claiming that he would "never support a message of hate" and expressed sympathies for the victims of the escalating conflict.
Nevertheless, Atal's post drew criticism from Nice mayor Christian Estrosi, who stated that the defender should not represent Les Aiglons until he denounced "Hamas terrorists".
Atal was called up to the Algeria squad for October's friendlies with Cape Verde and Egypt, but following his return to Nice, he has been suspended by the French club indefinitely.
The player held a meeting with Aiglons chiefs after touching back down in France, and while the club have noted his apology, the "seriousness" of the matter means that he will not be considered for selection.
Communiqué de l'#OGCNice concernant Youcef #Atal ⬇️
— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) October 18, 2023
A statement from Nice read: "Upon his return from the Algerian national team, where he had been since October 9, the leaders of OGC Nice convened and spoke with Youcef Atal.
"OGC Nice understands that the player recognized his error by quickly withdrawing the sharing of the publication and presented his written and public apologies.
"However, given the nature of the shared publication and its seriousness, the club took the decision to immediately take the first disciplinary sanctions against the player, prior to those that could be decided by the sporting and judicial authorities. As such, the club has decided to suspend Youcef Atal until further notice.
"We would like to emphasize that the reputation and unity of OGC Nice result from the behavior of all of its employees who must be in accordance with the values defended by the institution. As in its message last Friday, where OGC Nice recalled its firm commitment so that peace prevails over all other considerations."
Atal joined Nice from Belgian side KV Kortrijk in the summer of 2018 and has registered 12 goals and eight assists in 115 matches for the club, while he was also a part of Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad.
Nice are the only team still unbeaten in the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season, winning four and drawing four of their opening eight games to sit second in the table behind Monaco, and Francesco Farioli's side return to action at home to Marseille on Saturday night.
Atal's sanction comes after Bundesliga outfit Mainz 05 suspended Dutch attacker Anwar El Ghazi for expressing his support for Palestine on social media.
Ben Knapton
