Mainz end Anwar El Ghazi’s contract over Gaza social posts

German football club Mainz terminated the contract of Dutch striker Anwar El Ghazi on Friday following his social media posts about the war between Israel and Hamas.

Mainz’s announcement comes two days after El Ghazi disputed the club’s version of events when an earlier suspension was lifted. German news agency DPA reported Friday that Koblenz city prosecutors were also investigating.

Mainz initially suspended El Ghazi on October 17, saying he had posted and then deleted a post about the war that the club deemed “unacceptable”.

On Monday, the club announced his suspension had been lifted and he would receive a reprimand. Mainz said this followed discussions with management and that El Ghazi “regrets publishing the message and also regrets its negative impact.” The club added that the player “also stated that he did not question Israel’s right to exist.”

However, in another social media post on Wednesday, El Ghazi said the club released his statement without his permission.

“I have no regrets or remorse for my position,” the player 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.”

El Ghazi, 28, who has previously played for PSV Eindhoven, Aston Villa and Everton, joined Mainz as a free agent in September. He has made three appearances as a substitute for the side who are bottom of the Bundesliga.

In response to Mainz announcing that his contract had been terminated on Friday, El Ghazi posted: “The loss of my livelihood is nothing compared to the hell being unleashed on the innocent and vulnerable in Gaza.”