‘I didn’t do anything serious’ – OGC Nice’s Youcef Atal reacts to sharing of anti-semitic video following hearing
Following a hearing in Nice on Monday, Youcef Atal (27) has reacted to the allegations of condoning terrorism and public provocation of hate or violence based on religion after the OGC Nice defender shared an anti-semitic video online in October.
Atal shared a video from Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat, who asked God to “send Jewish people a dark day.” The OGCN player quickly deleted the post and apologised on social media the following day. However, an investigation was opened by the Nice public prosecutor, whilst he was also suspended by the LFP and his own club. Atal has not played for Les Aiglons since sharing the post.
After appearing on Monday to provide testimony and for his lawyer to mount a defence, Nice’s prosecutor requested Atal to be given a 10-month suspended prison term, a fine of 45,000 euros and a publication of the court decision on Instagram for a period of one month. The final decision on the case will be rendered on 3rd January.
Speaking to Algerian media, Atal has sought to defend his actions, whilst downplaying their significance. “I just wanted to show solidarity with the Palestinian people,” he said upon landing in Algiers. Atal is preparing for the upcoming AFCON. The defender added that he “wasn’t worried because he didn’t do anything serious.”
During the hearing earlier in the week, Atal had expressed regret for his actions. “I shared the video because I thought it was a message of peace and that people are suffering during this war. Unfortunately, I regret not seeing it through to the end,” he told the court on Monday.
The ongoing case does not affect Atal’s participation in the upcoming AFCON in Ivory Coast, which begins in mid-January.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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