Anwar El Ghazi, the Moroccan forward formerly with Aston Villa and Everton, has generously committed a third of his £1.27 million settlement—awarded to him following a wrongful dismissal case against his previous club, Mainz—to aid children in Gaza.
The player announced that €500,000 of this settlement would go towards funding projects for children in Gaza, emphasizing his support for the region and the importance of standing with the oppressed.
The 29-year-old Netherlands international, dismissed by the Bundesliga club in November due to a social media post expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, has recently prevailed in his wrongful dismissal case in a German court.
El Ghazi’s termination originated from an Instagram post dated October 17, 2023, in which he declared, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” coinciding with the onset of Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza.
Despite an incitement campaign by German media, El Ghazi maintained his stance, refusing to retract his comments, stating, “I stand for humanity and on the side of the oppressed until the last day I breathe.”
The post led to his suspension, which was initially lifted before Mainz ultimately terminated his contract in November.
In July, a German court ruled in El Ghazi’s favor, ordering Mainz to pay him €1.5 million in unpaid wages and bonuses.
“I would like to make clear that my legal battle with Mainz has never, for me, been about money,” El Ghazi stated. “I hope Mainz, despite their repeated failed attempts to avoid making the due payment, take solace from the knowledge that they have, through me, contributed financially in trying to make life bearable for the children of Gaza.”
The Netherlands international also criticized Mainz for attempting to silence him, claiming it had only strengthened his resolve to be a voice for the oppressed and voiceless in Gaza.
El Ghazi recently joined Cardiff City on a one-year contract as a free agent, marking his return to football following his departure from Mainz.
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