Nice has announced that it has suspended "until further notice" its defender Youcef Atal, who has been targeted by a preliminary investigation for "apologia for terrorism" after a post linked to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas. Although the Algeria international immediately deleted the publication and apologised, the club explained in a statement that it had chosen to "immediately adopt" the sanctions, "before" those that could be adopted by the sporting or judicial authorities, "given the nature of the sanctions the post shared and its seriousness".
In training camp with the Algerian selection since 9 October, Atal was called up on his return to Nice by the club's directors.
"We would like to stress that the reputation of Nice stems from the behavior of all its employees, who must conform to the values defended by the institution," the French first division club explained, reiterating "its firm commitment to ensuring that peace prevails over all other considerations."
Since Saturday, reactions have multiplied to denounce the sharing, on the footballer's Instagram account, of a video of a preacher who, according to those who accuse him, utters anti-Semitic phrases that incite violence.
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