El Ghazi Triumphs in Legal Dispute with Mainz 05

Anwar El Ghazi, a former professional footballer with Mainz 05, has emerged victorious in his latest legal battle concerning back-pay with his former Bundesliga club. A Palatinate court recently upheld a September ruling—previously appealed by Mainz—that will entitle the 30-year-old to receive up to €2.7 million in unpaid wages. Following the court’s decision, El Ghazi took to the social media platform X to express his triumph.

El Ghazi’s tenure at Mainz was brief, as he participated in only three matches during the autumn of 2023 before being released from the club due to his pro-Palestinian remarks on social media. In Germany, expressions questioning Israel’s existence are not legally protected, and Mainz, like numerous Bundesliga teams, has historical ties to Jewish benefactors from the post-war era.

The termination of El Ghazi’s contract sparked considerable controversy. Some observers argued that, given his subsequent apology and partial retraction of his statements, the club’s response was excessively punitive. In contrast, others highlighted that another Bundesliga player, Noussair Mazraoui, faced only sensitivity training for similar comments and was not subjected to contract termination. This discrepancy drew the attention of German pro-Israel and Jewish activists, who noted a perceived double standard in how the two players were treated, attributing El Ghazi’s harsher treatment to his lesser prominence in the sport.

El Ghazi has previously announced his intention to donate a portion of his awarded back-pay to Palestinian relief initiatives. However, on Thursday, he chose to publicly criticize Mainz on social media.

“Another day, another hearing, another appeal but still the same old outcome; a loss for FSV Mainz 05,” El Ghazi stated on X. “Regular defeats on the football pitch clearly aren’t enough for the board, so they keep returning for more losses in the German courts.

“The statement from the serial losers at FSV Mainz 05 following their latest defeat is as deluded as their entire dealings and proceedings against me,” he continued. “Let this latest victory send a loud and clear message to the warmongers, their accomplices, and the deluded board members of FSV Mainz 05. You cannot, and will not, silence the voices of the Palestinians and their advocates. Viva Palestina!!!”

GGFN | Peter Weis