Officially: German Mainz Terminated Contract with Player Anwar El Ghazi Immediately

The German football club Mainz has terminated its contract with Dutch forward Anwar El Ghazi on Friday, just hours after German prosecutors opened an investigation regarding his posts about the war between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas. Mainz announced via its account on "X": "We have ended the contractual relationship with Anwar El Ghazi and the player has been dismissed immediately." Mainz clarified in a statement that "this action is in response to the player's statements and posts on social media." Earlier on Friday, German prosecutors stated that the Dutch player of Moroccan descent is suspected of "threatening public peace by overlooking criminal acts while inciting hatred" through his message on "Instagram." Mainz had previously decided to suspend El Ghazi on October 17th due to his "unacceptable stance on the conflict in the Middle East." The player, who has previously played for Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Lille, Aston Villa, and Everton, posted several messages on social media following the onset of the conflict earlier last month, including the phrase "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." It is worth noting that the 28-year-old El Ghazi joined Mainz during the last summer transfer window from PSV Eindhoven on a two-year contract.