In a verdict handed down by the Nice criminal court, Algerian football international and Ligue 1 Nice player Youcef Atal, aged 27, has been convicted for sharing a video that called for a “black day for the Jews” in the aftermath of Hamas’ offensive on Israel. Atal, found guilty, is ordered to pay a fine of 45,000 euros ($49,000) and have details of his conviction published in regional daily Nice-Matin and national newspaper Le Monde.
The video in question featured preacher Mahmoud Al Hasanat, who, after discussing casualties among children in Gaza, invoked a “black day for the Jews” and expressed support for Gazans retaliating against Israel. Atal shared this video on his Instagram account with 3.2 million followers five days after the October 7 offensive.
Despite Atal’s apologies and assertion of intending to convey a “message of peace,” the court did not find his explanation convincing. The prosecutor argued that sharing the video implicated Atal in its message, emphasizing the absence of any mention of peace in the 35-second clip.
As a consequence of the conviction, Nice has suspended Atal from playing “until further notice,” and he previously received a seven-match ban from the Professional Football League (LFP), which has since expired.
