Fortuna Düsseldorf announces the completion of the transfer of player Weissman - Düsseldorf's football club, Fortuna, has declared the arrival of Weissman in a transfer move.
In a surprising turn of events, German football club Fortuna Düsseldorf has decided not to sign Israeli national footballer Shon Weissman for the 2023 Bundesliga season. The club's chairman, Klaus Allofs, announced the decision, citing conflicts between Weissman's sporting qualities and character, and the club's values, as the primary reason.
The decision was made following a series of social media posts by Weissman that went beyond mere critical commentary during the Gaza conflict. These posts, which some described as calls to "wipe out" Gaza, sparked significant fan opposition. A petition was launched against the signing, and resistance was seen on fan forums and social media.
Fortuna Düsseldorf held consultations with members of the Jewish community in Düsseldorf and the city's antisemitism commissioner regarding Weissman's social media activities. The club also had an exchange with the Israeli news portal "Walla", which reported that Weissman had liked posts calling for the destruction of Gaza.
Despite being in advanced talks with Weissman’s then club Granada, Fortuna Düsseldorf announced on Tuesday that it would not be signing the player. Initially, the club did not provide further explanation for the decision. However, in a lengthy statement released later, Fortuna Düsseldorf clarified that the non-signing was due to issues related to Weissman’s social media activities.
The club stated that Weissman's statements and subsequent handling were not in line with their values. They further explained that the inevitable polarization from Weissman's social media statements would not be "good companions for a successful season." The statement also made it clear that the decision was not motivated by antisemitism, political reasons, or contractual issues.
The non-signing of Shon Weissman by Fortuna Düsseldorf has undoubtedly become politicized. The club, however, has maintained its focus on its primary consideration in signing a new player: whether the player's sporting qualities and character fit with the club. Despite the controversy, Fortuna Düsseldorf's decision has been met with a mixed response, with some praising the club for taking a stand, while others criticize it for bowing to pressure from fan groups.
The club, Fortuna Düsseldorf, has made it clear that their community policy prioritizes the alignment of a player's character with their values, as demonstrated in their decision not to sign Israeli footballer Shon Weissman. Despite his vocational training and football skills, the controversial content of Weissman's social media posts during the Gaza conflict made him unsuitable for the team, potentially causing polarization and hampering a successful season.
