Mainz terminate El Ghazi's contract over posts on Israel-Hamas conflict

Mainz 05 have terminated Anwar El Ghazi's contract following the forward's social media posts in connection with the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Bundesliga club said on Friday.

The Dutchman was suspended in October following an earlier comment about the conflict but had been cleared to return to training on Monday after showing remorse, the club had said.

However, El Ghazi posted a new statement on Wednesday that the German club said was 'incomprehensible' and that they would examine it from a legal perspective.

"My position remains the same as it was when this started," El Ghazi wrote.

"I am against war and violence. I am against the killing of all innocent civilians. I am against all forms of discrimination. I am against Islamophobia. I am against anti-Semitism. I am against genocide. I am against apartheid. I am against occupation. I am against oppression."

The 28-year-old El Ghazi added that he had "no regrets or remorse" regarding his position and refused to distance himself from what he had previously said.

In a statement, Mainz said the player's contract had been terminated as a result of his statements and posts on social media without specifying.

"Stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone, The loss of my livelihood is nothing when compared to the hell being unleashed on innocent and vulnerable in Gaza," El Ghazi posted on Instagram later on Friday.

POST DELETED

El Ghazi, who joined Mainz in September and has also played for Aston Villa and Everton, was suspended on Oct. 17 over his initial post which he has since deleted.

On Wednesday, however, he wrote: "I do not owe special responsibility to any state. I do not believe any people or states are beyond question and accountability, nor are they above