OGC Nice’s Youcef Atal found guilty of provoking racial hatred and handed suspended prison sentence
OGC Nice defender Youcef Atal (27) has been found guilty of provoking racial hatred and has been handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence. The Algerian international has also been handed a €45,000 fine.
In October, Atal shared a video from Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat, who asked God to “send Jewish people a dark day.” The video, shared on Atal’s Instagram, was quickly deleted by the Algerian international. Amidst the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, Atal’s post garnered criticism, notably from the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, who said that unless he “denounces Hamas terrorists, he no longer has a place at [OGC Nice].”
The Nice Public Prosecutor investigated Atal, whilst the LFP as, well as his own club, OGC Nice, suspended the defender. He has not played for the club since, and it is thought that Atal has already played his final game for Les Aiglons. The Algerian international is notably attracting interest from Turkey.
During the hearing in December, Nice’s Public Prosecutor requested a 10-month suspended prison sentence, however, the tribunal has instead handed the player an eight-month suspended prison sentence after finding Atal guilty. The OGC Nice defender will also pay for the verdict to be published in Nice-Matin and Le Monde.
Atal, who is currently away on international duty with Algeria, preparing for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has 10 days to appeal the verdict.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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