Nice Suspend Defender Youcef Atal For Alleged Anti-Semitic Post

Ligue 1 side Nice suspended Algerian international Youcef Atal "until further notice" on Wednesday after he shared a controversial post on social media linked to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas. Even though he quickly deleted the post and apologised, the club said in a press release that, given the "seriousness" of the post, it was taking immediate disciplinary action "prior to any action that may be taken by the sporting and legal authorities". French prosecutors on Monday launched a preliminary investigation into Atal on suspicion of "glorifying terrorism".

Atal, 27, was called into a meeting with the club hierarchy following his return from international duty with Algeria, during which period he made the post.

"We would like to emphasise that the reputation and unity of OGC Nice depends on the behaviour of all of its employees, who must be in accordance with the values defended by the institution," said the club, adding its "firm commitment to ensuring that peace prevails over all other considerations".

Atal has been widely criticised since Saturday for sharing a video from a Palestinian preacher on Instagram, purportedly calling for violence against Jewish people.

Football officials, politicians, a Jewish group and the mayor of Nice have all condemned the message, which Atal deleted before apologising.

AFP has not been able to independently verify the content of the original post.

France, which has large Jewish and Muslim populations, ramped up security after Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel on October 7.

And officials put the country on high alert for potential attacks after a teacher was stabbed to death on Friday by a former pupil, in what politicians have said was