Anwar El Ghazi issued official warning

Anwar El Ghazi has been issued an official warning by 1. FSV Mainz 05 for a post that he published on social media two weeks ago. In this post, the 28-year-old Dutchman took a position on the conflict in the Middle East in a manner that wasn’t tolerable for the club. The club promptly suspended the player from training and matchday-related duties following his post.

El Ghazi has since distanced himself from his post on his Instagram account, which he deleted minutes later, in multiple conversations with the club. He regrets publishing the post and also was remorseful about its negative impact, especially on the club as a whole.

El Ghazi explicitly distanced himself from terrorist acts such as those committed by Hamas two weeks ago, which led to a renewed escalation of violence in the Middle East. He expressed his condolences to the victims of the attack and to all the victims of the ongoing conflict. He also stated that he does not question Israel's right to exist. 

The club's board made it clear to Anwar El Ghazi that employees of the club are bound to a code of values. Implicit in this code of values is a special responsibility to the state of Israel and the Jewish people, not only due to past events in German history, but also stemming from the shared history with one of FSV's founding members and member of the Jewish community, Eugen Salomon. 

Given his commitment to upholding the club's values and the remorse shown by El Ghazi, and in keeping with the club's culture of using mistakes as an opportunity to learn, Mainz have opened the door for him to resume his duties. As such, Anwar El Ghazi will return to training and matchday-related activities with 1. FSV Mainz 05 soon.