French police have detained Algerian international Youcef Atal, a player for Ligue 1 side Nice, in connection with a probe into suspected “justification of terrorism.” This follows Atal’s social media post on the Israel-Hamas war, for which he received a seven-match ban and issued an apology.
The public prosecutor in Nice initiated the investigation following a request from the local prefect and mayor of Nice. Atal’s arrest allows for police questioning during detention, and potential charges may follow. The player had already been suspended by Nice “until further notice.”
Despite Atal’s apology, OGC Nice took immediate action, citing the nature and seriousness of the shared publication. The club’s decision preceded any potential sanctions from sporting or judicial bodies.
In October, the Nice public prosecutor announced an investigation into the “justification of terrorism.” Atal had faced criticism for sharing a video on Instagram from a Palestinian preacher, allegedly calling for violence against Jewish people.
France heightened security measures in response to significant attacks by Hamas on Israel in October. The Israeli offensive resulted in casualties, with conflicting figures reported by Israeli officials and the Hamas government.
By AFP
