Bundesliga soccer team FSV Mainz 05 is parting ways with offensive player Anwar El Ghazi with immediate effect. The Rheinhessen informed about the termination of the contractual relationship on Friday evening. The club is reacting “to the player’s statements and posts on social media”.
The Koblenz Public Prosecutor’s Office had previously initiated an investigation against the Dutchman on Friday. The public prosecutor’s office confirmed this in response to a SID request. “According to our assessment, there is initial suspicion against the accused of disturbing the public peace by endorsing crimes in conjunction with incitement to hatred by disseminating content,” said the Koblenz public prosecutor’s office. The FAZ first reported on it.
Those responsible in Mainz did not want to comment on the matter to the FAZ. Sports director Christian Heidel had recently become increasingly annoyed by the El Ghazi case. “I don’t explain anything to myself anymore. I won’t make any more explanations about it. I think everyone has now noticed: This has nothing to do with football or sport anymore. This is a highly political issue, a highly legal one as well labor law issue,” said Heidel.
The case of Mainz striker El Ghazi had recently escalated. The player was initially suspended by the club after an anti-Israel Instagram post. On Monday, however, the FSV announced that El Ghazi had shown remorse and would be reintegrated after a warning. However, he took sick leave and declared in another post on Wednesday that he did not regret his position and indirectly accused Mainz 05 of lying.
Heidel did not want to comment further on the content of the case. “I have no interest in saying any wrong word that can somehow be used against us,” said the 60-year-old: “This is a case that has never happened at Mainz 05 and I deeply regret that this happened “Something can happen. But nobody at Mainz 05 can do anything about it.”