Football club Mainz 05 may make another financial settlement to former player Anwar El Ghazi after a dispute over contract termination.
In a significant development, both German football club Mainz 05 and Dutch-Moroccan footballer Anwar El Ghazi have expressed a shared intent to find a resolution to their ongoing dispute in the coming weeks.
The dispute stems from the immediate termination of El Ghazi's contract with Mainz 05 in 2024, following anti-Israel posts on his social media platforms. The club's decision was upheld by the labour court in Mainz last year, leading to an order for Mainz 05 to pay around 1.5 million euros to El Ghazi.
However, the club has since appealed the verdict, leading to the current appeal process at the Regional Labor Court in Mainz. El Ghazi himself attended the trial, where his lawyer, Alexander Bergweiler, argued that his client's intention was to highlight the suffering in the Gaza Strip, especially that of children.
In a surprising turn of events, Bergweiler stated that El Ghazi was not aware that the statement "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" questioned Israel's right to exist. This statement was central to the club's argument for the termination of the contract.
Johan-Michel Menke, lawyer for Mainz 05, countered that anyone expressing anti-Semitic views has no place at Mainz 05 or in German football. He emphasised the club's special responsibility towards Israel due to its history, with the club's Jewish founder, Eugen Salomon, being murdered in Auschwitz.
During the hearing, the club's board argued that the player's dismissal was unavoidable. However, presiding judge Budroweit presented a suggestion from the labor court in Mainz, which could result in Mainz 05 paying El Ghazi an additional 800,000 euros, bringing the total to 2.3 million euros.
El Ghazi had signed a two-year contract with Mainz 05 but moved to British second-tier club Cardiff City in the summer of 2024. Despite the search results not providing information about this transfer, it is known that El Ghazi traveled from Qatar to Mainz for the trial.
The negotiations between Mainz 05 and El Ghazi for an agreement did not succeed on the first day. Both parties now have until October 8 to reach an agreement. If not, the court will decide.
As the negotiations continue, both parties are under pressure to find a resolution that upholds the principles of fairness, respect, and understanding, maintaining the integrity of football and the values held dear by both Mainz 05 and Anwar El Ghazi.
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