Youssef Attal wears a keffiyeh bearing the colors of the Palestinian flag during one of the matches of the Algerian national team (social media)

Youssef Attal, a player of the French football team Nice, has received a wide solidarity campaign after being arrested by the French authorities, then released on bail and set a trial date for him on charges of supporting the Palestinian cause and sympathizing with Gaza.

The French newspaper "Nice Matin" reported that Attal was placed under temporary detention at the headquarters of the judicial police in Ovary in Nice because of a post on social media in which he shared a prayer for Palestinian preacher Mahmoud Hasanat calling for the Jews to send a "black day."

Algerian media said French authorities had released Attal on bail of up to 80,<> euros, with his trial scheduled for next month on charges of "inciting racial hatred on the basis of religion".

The stars of the Algerian national team were at the head of solidarity with Attal, most notably Riyad Mahrez, Sofiane Feghouli and Baghdad Bounedjah, describing his arrest in this way as a "real shame", especially since he deleted the post and apologized, while others denounced the double standards because the French media witnessed the passage of racist statements without the judiciary moving them.

Current Fatih Karaghamrak player and former Valencia star Sofiane Feghouli wrote: "He withdrew his post, said he was sorry for the end of the video he did not watch, he was marginalized, then suspended and now temporarily detained. Justice should focus on useless people who sow hate on television."

Force Youcef Atal , il a retiré son post , il a dit qu'il était désolé pour la fin de la vidéo qu'il n'avait pas vue , subit une mise à l'écart , puis une suspension et maintenant une GAV. Faudrait que la justice se concentre sur les inutiles des plateaux tv qui sèment la haine. pic.twitter.com/fdpQMub8K5

— Sofiane Feghouli (@sffeghouli) November 24, 2023

Algerian actress and singer Amal Bouchoucha sent a message to Youssef Attal through her account on X, "You are part of a homeland that knows the meaning of sacrifices for the sake of the right and the right to life, you are the son of a country that struggled and struggled in the face of injustice and darkness, do not be afraid, the right is between and falsehood to the demise."

Algerian sports commentator Hafid Draghi wrote on his X account, "Peace be upon the country of law, freedom, brotherhood and equality! If she had spoken hatred and racism, she would have recognized her French citizenship."

In a Zionist/racist/spiteful/hateful scenario, French police arrest Algerian international Youssef Attal after a preliminary investigation opened by the Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of inciting violence and inciting hatred and racism.
Peace be upon the country of law, freedom, brotherhood and equality!
If she had spoken hatred and racism, she would have recognized her French nationality... pic.twitter.com/hCiq6lubUN

— hafid derradji hafid draghi (@derradjihafid) November 24, 2023

Algerian activists and journalists recalled the statement of French-Jewish singer Enrico Macias, who called for "the literal and physical elimination of the members of the proud France party only because they condemned the crimes of the Israeli occupation", but the French authorities did not act towards these statements.

The French club Nice had announced the temporary suspension of its player Attal from the team after his position in solidarity with the Palestinian cause and his participation in a prayer against the Jews.

The club's statement, posted on its Facebook account, said: "The player admitted his mistake by quickly withdrawing the post and offering his written and public apologies. However, due to the nature and seriousness of the joint circular, the club has taken the decision to immediately take the first disciplinary sanctions against the player, before those that can be decided by the sports and judicial authorities."

#يوسف_عطال the
player of the Algerian
national team forty-five million Algerians with you and behind you and in front of you You are the son of Algeria, the country of heroes
You are part of a homeland that knows the meaning of sacrifices for the sake of right and the right to life
You are the son of a country that struggled and struggled
in the face of injustice and darkness Do not be afraid, the right is clear and falsehood is until the demise 🇩🇿🇵🇸 of
pic.twitter.com/RDKcr3B5MH

— Amel Bouchoucha | Amal Bouchoucha (@amelbouchoucha) November 24, 2023

Source : Al Jazeera