Football: Youcef Atal (OGC Nice) appeals his conviction for provoking hatred

Youcef Atal fait appel de sa condamnation pour provocation à la haine. MAXPPP -/APP

Algerian international footballer from Nice Youcef Atal appealed Thursday against his conviction for sharing a video calling for "a black day on the Jews" against a backdrop of conflict between Israel and Hamas, his lawyers announced.

The 27-year-old, who is preparing to play in the African Cup of Nations (CAN) with the Algerian team, has was sentenced on January 3 to eight months in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros for provoking hatred on grounds of religion.

As soon as the judgment was announced, his lawyers had mentioned a probable appeal: "He did not knowingly publish a video with questionable content (…), we must not make a' #39;Atal the symbol that he is not, explained Me Antoine Vey to AFP.

Youcef Atal fait appel de sa condamnation de huit mois de prison avec sursis et 45.000 euros d'amende par le tribunal correctionnel de Nice pour provocation à la haine.https://t.co/t1983MtLRt

— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) January 8, 2024

Five days after the unprecedented attacks by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas against Israel on October 7 and the start of Israel's bombing of Gaza, Atal shared with his 3.2 million # 39;subscribers on Instagram the video of a preacher, Mahmoud Al Hasanat.

A transfer cannot be ruled out during the winter transfer window

Speaking in Arabic, the latter first spoke, moved to tears, of the fate of the children of Gaza under the bombs. Then he toughened his tone and called on God to send "a dark day on the Jews”.

Warned by OGC Nice of the controversial nature of the remarks, Atal quickly deleted the video from his account, replaced by a message of apology. At his trial in December, he repeated that he had above all wanted to send "a message of peace" and that he had not watched the video until the end before sharing it, even though it only lasts 35 seconds.

Youcef Atal in the OGC Nice jersey. dpa – Marius Becker

An important element of the Nice squad, Youcef Atal has not reappeared in this jersey since the publication but has now served the seven match suspension imposed by the disciplinary committee of the Professional Football League (LFP).

The Algerian international could play again on his return from the CAN but a transfer remains possible during the winter transfer window.