At the heart of a huge controversy surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following a post on his social networks shortly after the Hamas attack on October 7 in Israel, Youcef Atal (27) was caught up in a media storm which was fatal to his Nice adventure. Suspended by the Aiglons since October, the Algerian full-back has since been condemned by the French courts for “provocation to hatred on grounds of religion”. He received an 8-month suspended sentence as well as a fine of 45,000 euros before packing up and returning to Turkey.
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Recruited by Adana Demirspor, Atal made a remarkable debut there. In the Süper Lig, Fennec has found a smile again and above all the desire to play. And for the first time since this highly publicized affair, the former Nice resident came out of silence to return to this episode. Unsurprisingly, Atal didn’t really feel any support from the Gym. Suspended and pilloried by local political figures, the defender felt the blow coming.
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Atal thanks Belmadi
“Nice didn’t push me towards the exit, but I didn’t feel supported. The speech changed each time… I paid dearly for my mistake: sportingly, legally and financially. I felt like I was going to be left out.”he declared in an interview with So Foot. Upset by this affair, Atal did not forget to thank one of the few who showed him his support and confidence: the former Algeria coach, Djamel Belmadi. Indeed, while he was sidelined by the OGCN, Atal remained summoned to the national team. He also played three friendly matches, two matches counting for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the three matches in the group stage of CAN 2023.
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This tournament, despite the bitter failure of the national team, was one of its lifelines. “I was hanging on to the CAN to rediscover my taste for football by training more, to come and help the selection and Djamel Belmadi who trusted me so much. I didn’t want to fail, I wanted to give everything for my country and for it. (…) I was supported by all of Algeria and by a lot of people around the world, I thank them. I also expected support from other people who didn’t give it to me, that’s how it is. » Lucid about his fate, Atal also admitted that a comeback in France also had little chance of happening. “With everything that has happened, it is very complicated to imagine a return to France, even if you should never say never. »
Pub. 03/26/2024 4:00 p.m. Updated 03/26/2024 4:44 p.m.
2024-03-26 15:00:44
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