“I’m not worried because I haven’t done anything serious.” Three days after his trial for incitement to hatred before the Nice criminal court, Youcef Atal continues to defend himself. Arriving at Algiers airport to prepare for the CAN, the OGC Nice player spoke to the Algerian media: “I just wanted to be in solidarity with the Palestinian people. »
On October 12, five days after the Hamas attacks, Youcef Atal shared on Instagram a video of a preacher, Mahmoud Al Hasanat, who called on God to send “a dark day on the Jews”. In court, the player defended himself. The prosecution nevertheless requested a ten-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 45,000 euros.
However, he claims to have never watched the entire video. “I shared the video because I thought it was a message of peace and that people are suffering during this war,” he declared during his hearing. Unfortunately, I regret not having seen it until the end. I shared because I thought it was truly a message of peace. I want people to stop suffering. It is not my intention to be against any person. Unfortunately, I didn’t finish the video. »
Having left to prepare for the African Cup of Nations, during which he must represent Algeria, Youcef Atal is still awaiting his judgment. This was put under advisement. The decision will be pronounced on January 3.
