Algerian and Nice defender Youcef Atal has been handed an eight-month suspended sentence by a French court for inciting religious hatred through an antisemitic social media post related to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
The ruling also includes a €45,000 fine, and Atal faces suspension from his club until further notice. Despite being selected in the Algeria squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Atal’s actions have raised questions about the intersection of sports, social media, and responsible behaviour.
The Court’s Decision: The decision by the Nice criminal court came after it was established that Atal had posted an antisemitic video on his Instagram account.
In addition to the suspended sentence, the court imposed a significant fine of €45,000. Atal’s suspension from his club, Nice, is indefinite, indicating the severity of the consequences for his actions.
In response to the accusations, Youcef Atal deleted the controversial post the day after sharing it and issued an apology.
However, during the court hearings, Atal apologized once again, explaining that he did not watch the full 35-second video and intended to convey a “message of peace.”
A French court in Nice has handed Youcef Atal a suspended sentence for reposting a video the 27-year-old said he did not fully watch before sharing.
— NewsHub (@NewsHub2023) January 4, 2024
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Unfortunately, his defence did not persuade the prosecutors, who argued that sharing the video implied endorsing its message and giving it visibility.
Prosecutor Meggi Choutia emphasized that there was no mention of peace in the video’s content, discrediting Atal’s claim of attempting to promote a peaceful message.
The court’s decision underscores the responsibility that individuals, especially public figures, carry when sharing content on social media platforms.
Publication of Conviction Details: As part of the penalty, Youcef Atal will also bear the cost of publishing details of his conviction in regional daily Nice-Matin and the national newspaper Le Monde.
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Impact on Atal’s Football Career: The suspension imposed by Nice adds a layer of uncertainty to Atal’s future in professional football.
Despite being selected for the Algeria squad in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, his suspension from club duties raises questions about his standing in the team and the potential impact on his football career.
