Düsseldorf abstains from transferring Israeli football forward - Düsseldorf stands firm on not transferring Israeli soccer player
Fortuna Düsseldorf, a football club based in Düsseldorf, Germany, has announced the abandonment of a potential signing of Israeli striker Shon Weissman. The decision comes following strong fan resistance against the transfer, sparked by controversial social media posts made by Weissman in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians.
Weissman, who plays for Granada CF and is valued at around €1.2 million, had liked or posted calls for severe military action against Gaza, including demands to "wipe Gaza off the map" and drop heavy bombs. This sparked widespread outrage among Fortuna Düsseldorf supporters who viewed the posts as deeply controversial and incompatible with the club's values or image.
Although the club initially defended Weissman against judgments based on limited information, it ultimately bowed to fan pressure and decided not to sign him. In his Instagram statement, Weissman stated that he accepts criticism but feels that the entire context was not taken into account.
The 29-year-old striker, who had been sought after as a replacement for the departed Dawid Kownacki and Isak Johannesson in the summer, later reaffirmed his commitment to humanity and respect, but this was not enough to reverse the decision. The club declined to comment explicitly on whether the decision to abandon the signing was related to fan protests.
A petition was started on the "change.org" platform to prevent a signing of Shon Weissman, which likely added to the pressure on the club to make a decision. The club has not stated the reasons for abandoning the signing of Shon Weissman, but the sensitive nature of the posts and the backlash from fans are believed to be the main factors.
Fortuna Düsseldorf's defeat in the season opener was a 1:5 against Arminia Bielefeld, and the club is still looking for a center forward to reinforce their attack. Despite the setback, the club remains optimistic for the future and is actively seeking new talent to bolster their squad.
- Fortuna Düsseldorf, in alignment with their community policy, decided against signing Israeli striker Shon Weissman due to the controversy surrounding his social media posts regarding the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians.
- The abandonment of the potential signing of Shon Weissman by Fortuna Düsseldorf was influenced by the strong fan resistance, demonstrating the club's commitment to upholding a positive image and values that resonate with their supporters.
