Mainz lose court appeal over El Ghazi wrongful dismissal

German club Mainz have lost a court appeal against a verdict for wrongful dismissal by Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi.

The Bundesliga side terminated El Ghazi's contract in November 2023 following a series of social media posts he made about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

In July 2024, a German court ruled this to be a wrongful termination and the player's statements fell within the scope of freedom of expression.

Mainz appealed, but the Rhineland-Palatinate State Labor Court upheld its original decision on Wednesday.

"We have to accept the court's decision," said club chairman Stefan Hofmann.

"However, we stand by our position: Based on the values ​​and convictions that define Mainz 05, the continued employment of individuals who express and behave in fundamental contradiction to these values ​​will remain out of the question."

El Ghazi was originally suspended by Mainz on 17 October, following a social media post which included the controversial phrase "from the river to the sea" - a pro-Palestinian message which critics say implies the destruction of Israel.

But that interpretation is disputed by some pro-Palestinian activists who say most people chanting it are calling for an end to Israel's occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, not the destruction of Israel itself.

Mainz said El Ghazi's post "took a position on the conflict in the Middle East in a manner that wasn't tolerable for the club".

The former Ajax, Lille, Aston Villa, Everton forward returned to the squad three days later, saying he stood "for peace above everything".

El Ghazi then revealed, however, he had not authorised a club statement confirming his return and Mainz subsequently terminated the contract "in response to the player's statements and posts on social media".

Following his victory in court last year, El Ghazi pledged 500,000 euros (£441,000) of his pay-off from the club to "fund projects for the children in Gaza" affected by the conflict.

"I hope Mainz, despite their repeated failed attempts to avoid making the due payment, take solace from the knowledge that they have, through me, contributed financially in trying to make life a little more bearable for the children of Gaza," said El Ghazi in July 2024.

The 30-year-old joined Cardiff City after leaving Mainz, but now plays for Al-Sailiya in Qatar.