Düsseldorf Cancels Transfer Following Medical Examination
In a surprising turn of events, the planned transfer of Israeli striker Shon Weissman from Granada CF to Fortuna Düsseldorf has been called off. The decision was made following intense opposition and protests from fans, who were upset over Weissman's controversial social media posts supporting Israel during the Gaza war.
Initially, Fortuna Düsseldorf defended their interest in signing Weissman, arguing that judging players by their social media or Wikipedia pages goes against their club values. However, as the backlash grew, the club decided to reconsider their decision.
Weissman, who played 50 games for Granada over the past two and a half years, scoring six goals and assisting two more, had undergone the medical check for Fortuna Düsseldorf. His contract with Granada expires next summer, making this transfer window the Spanish club's last chance for an adequate transfer fee.
The controversy surrounding Weissman's social media posts began in October 2023, when he posted derogatory comments about Palestinians after the Hamas attack on Israel. These inflammatory posts were quickly deleted, but not before causing a stir among Granada fans, who called for his dismissal.
Fortuna fans started a petition against the signing of Weissman due to concerns about his credibility and the potential damage to the club's image. The petition stated that there are more talented players who better reflect the spirit and ethics of Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Fortuna's coach, Daniel Thioune, has distanced himself from the controversy, focusing solely on sporting matters and working with the current squad. He acknowledged the team's need for a striker but indicated that the transfer is no longer happening and that he is blocking out the noise related to fan reactions and the social media controversy.
Weissman himself has remained largely silent on the recent German backlash, although his prior social media posts in 2023—particularly those calling for Gaza to be bombed—had already caused uproar during his time in Spain.
This situation highlights the broader challenges football clubs face balancing player signings and fan sentiment amid politically charged controversies. It remains to be seen where and how Weissman's career will continue.
Fortuna Düsseldorf is reconsidering their employment policy following intense opposition from fans over controversial social media posts by potential signing Shon Weissman. The European-leagues football landscape is closely monitoring the community policy implications of this decision.
