Anwar El Ghazi was suspended in October following an earlier comment about the conflict but had been cleared to return to training on Monday after showing remorse, Mainz had said. AFP
Anwar El Ghazi was suspended in October following an earlier comment about the conflict but had been cleared to return to training on Monday after showing remorse, Mainz had said. AFP
Anwar El Ghazi was suspended in October following an earlier comment about the conflict but had been cleared to return to training on Monday after showing remorse, Mainz had said. AFP
Anwar El Ghazi was suspended in October following an earlier comment about the conflict but had been cleared to return to training on Monday after showing remorse, Mainz had said. AFP

German club Mainz terminate Anwar El Ghazi's contract over Israel-Gaza war posts


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German club Mainz said on Friday they have terminated the contract of Anwar El Ghazi's following the forward's social media posts in connection with the Israel-Gaza war.

The Dutchman was suspended in October following an earlier comment about the conflict but had been cleared to return to training on Monday after showing remorse, the club had said.

However, El Ghazi, 28, posted a new statement on Wednesday that the German club said was "incomprehensible" and that they would examine consider whether to pursue legal action.

"My position remains the same as it was when this started," El Ghazi wrote.

"I am against war and violence. I am against the killing of all innocent civilians. I am against all forms of discrimination. I am against Islamophobia. I am against anti-Semitism. I am against genocide. I am against apartheid. I am against occupation. I am against oppression."

El Ghazi added that he had "no regrets or remorse" regarding his position.

In a statement, Mainz said the player's contract had been terminated as a result of his statements and posts on social media.

"Stand for what is right, even if it means standing alone, The loss of my livelihood is nothing when compared to the hell being unleashed on innocent and vulnerable in Gaza," El Ghazi posted on Instagram later on Friday.

El Ghazi, who joined Mainz in September from PSV Eindhoven, was suspended on October 17 over his initial post which he has since deleted.

On Wednesday, however, he wrote: "I do not owe special responsibility to any state. I do not believe any people or states are beyond question and accountability, nor are they above international law."

"There can never be any justification for the killing of over 3,500 children in Gaza in the last three weeks ... I and we as a world cannot conscionably [sic] remain silent. We must call for an end to the killing in Gaza now."

Mainz said on social media on Wednesday that they had read El Ghazi's latest statement in relation to the club "which we noted with surprise and incomprehension.

"The club will check the issue legally and then evaluate it. The player registered sick on Monday and is currently not part of the training activity."

  • Palestinians cry as they walk away after an area hit by Israeli missiles in Rafah, the Gaza Strip. AP
    Palestinians cry as they walk away after an area hit by Israeli missiles in Rafah, the Gaza Strip. AP
  • Palestinians with foreign passports wait for permission to leave Gaza at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Reuters
    Palestinians with foreign passports wait for permission to leave Gaza at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Reuters
  • A Palestinian boy pushes a man on a wheelchair past debris in Rafah. AFP
    A Palestinian boy pushes a man on a wheelchair past debris in Rafah. AFP
  • A paramedic holds an injured bird as he searches through buildings destroyed during Israeli air raids in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. Getty Images
    A paramedic holds an injured bird as he searches through buildings destroyed during Israeli air raids in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. Getty Images
  • Israeli soldiers take part in ground operations at a location given as Gaza. Reuters
    Israeli soldiers take part in ground operations at a location given as Gaza. Reuters
  • A man listens for any potential sounds of life following an Israeli air strike on the Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza. AFP
    A man listens for any potential sounds of life following an Israeli air strike on the Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza. AFP
  • People flee after Israeli air strikes on the Maghazi refugee camp. AFP
    People flee after Israeli air strikes on the Maghazi refugee camp. AFP
  • An Israeli soldier arranges artillery shells near the border with the Gaza Strip. AFP
    An Israeli soldier arranges artillery shells near the border with the Gaza Strip. AFP
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    Relatives and friends of those kidnapped during the October 7 Hamas attack hold photos of their loved ones during a protest calling for their return outside Israel's parliament. AP
  • Israeli flares illuminate the sky over west Gaza in the northern Gaza Strip. EPA
    Israeli flares illuminate the sky over west Gaza in the northern Gaza Strip. EPA
  • Smoke rises from northern Gaza after Israeli pounded the besieged enclave. AFP
    Smoke rises from northern Gaza after Israeli pounded the besieged enclave. AFP
  • Ambulances queue at the Rafah border as they wait to cross into Gaza to transport the injured back to Egypt for treatment. Getty Images
    Ambulances queue at the Rafah border as they wait to cross into Gaza to transport the injured back to Egypt for treatment. Getty Images
  • Women cry as one of them holds an injured toddler outside Shuhada Al Aqsa hospital after an Israeli bombardment of Deir Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. AFP
    Women cry as one of them holds an injured toddler outside Shuhada Al Aqsa hospital after an Israeli bombardment of Deir Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. AFP
  • Displaced Palestinian children sit in a makeshift shelter at Al Shifa hospital, amid the Israel-Gaza war. Reuters
    Displaced Palestinian children sit in a makeshift shelter at Al Shifa hospital, amid the Israel-Gaza war. Reuters
  • Israeli soldiers patrol outside a house destroyed during fighting with Hamas militants, in the kibbutz of Kfar Aza. Bloomberg
    Israeli soldiers patrol outside a house destroyed during fighting with Hamas militants, in the kibbutz of Kfar Aza. Bloomberg
  • Palestinians from Bureij refugee camp use Salah Al Din street as they flee the southern Gaza Strip. AP
    Palestinians from Bureij refugee camp use Salah Al Din street as they flee the southern Gaza Strip. AP
  • Palestinian children clean up outside their home after Israel struck Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. AP
    Palestinian children clean up outside their home after Israel struck Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. AP
  • Khan Younis residents search through buildings destroyed during Israeli air raids. Getty Images
    Khan Younis residents search through buildings destroyed during Israeli air raids. Getty Images
  • People take part in a candlelight vigil in Dizengoff Square, in Tel Aviv. Getty Images
    People take part in a candlelight vigil in Dizengoff Square, in Tel Aviv. Getty Images
  • Demonstrators rally in support of Palestinians in Denver, Colorado. AFP
    Demonstrators rally in support of Palestinians in Denver, Colorado. AFP
  • Galya David, the mother of hostage Evyatar David, takes part in the 'Bring them home' event organised by the Greek Israeli Community in Athens. EPA
    Galya David, the mother of hostage Evyatar David, takes part in the 'Bring them home' event organised by the Greek Israeli Community in Athens. EPA
  • Lebanese parademics show the blood-stained high-vis jackets of four of their colleagues wounded after their ambulances were hit in a strike on the Lebanese town of Tayr Harfa. AFP
    Lebanese parademics show the blood-stained high-vis jackets of four of their colleagues wounded after their ambulances were hit in a strike on the Lebanese town of Tayr Harfa. AFP
  • Flares are dropped by Israeli forces above Gaza, as seen from Sderot, near the border with the Palestinian enclave. AFP
    Flares are dropped by Israeli forces above Gaza, as seen from Sderot, near the border with the Palestinian enclave. AFP
  • Israeli forces at a position along the the border with Gaza. AFP
    Israeli forces at a position along the the border with Gaza. AFP
  • Palestinians search for bodies and survivors at Magazi refugee camp in Gaza after an Israeli air strike. Reuters
    Palestinians search for bodies and survivors at Magazi refugee camp in Gaza after an Israeli air strike. Reuters
  • Leaflets are dropped by the Israeli army over Gaza city asking people to evacuate towards the south of the Palestinian enclave. AFP
    Leaflets are dropped by the Israeli army over Gaza city asking people to evacuate towards the south of the Palestinian enclave. AFP
  • An injured toddler awaits treatment at the emergency ward of Al-Shifa Hospital following an Israeli strike, in Gaza city. AFP
    An injured toddler awaits treatment at the emergency ward of Al-Shifa Hospital following an Israeli strike, in Gaza city. AFP
  • A Palestinian man wails amid a search for casualties after an Israeli strike on houses, at Magazi refugee camp, Gaza. Reuters
    A Palestinian man wails amid a search for casualties after an Israeli strike on houses, at Magazi refugee camp, Gaza. Reuters
  • Anadolu news agency cameraman Mohammed El Aloul pictured after several of his children and siblings were killed in Israeli strikes. Reuters
    Anadolu news agency cameraman Mohammed El Aloul pictured after several of his children and siblings were killed in Israeli strikes. Reuters
  • Israeli soldiers walk past debris and damaged buildings at a location given as Gaza by Israel's military. Reuters
    Israeli soldiers walk past debris and damaged buildings at a location given as Gaza by Israel's military. Reuters
  • Protesters rally outside the White House in support of Palestinians in Gaza, Washington. Reuters
    Protesters rally outside the White House in support of Palestinians in Gaza, Washington. Reuters
  • A man mourns after losing relatives following an Israeli air strike in Gaza city. AP
    A man mourns after losing relatives following an Israeli air strike in Gaza city. AP
  • An art installation of prams with the faces of kidnapped children on display in Tel Aviv. Getty Images
    An art installation of prams with the faces of kidnapped children on display in Tel Aviv. Getty Images
  • An Israeli woman calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. AP
    An Israeli woman calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. AP
  • A Palestinian man stands on a collapsed building following a strike by the Israeli military on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP
    A Palestinian man stands on a collapsed building following a strike by the Israeli military on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP
  • Palestinians gather at the site of Israeli strikes on a residential building in Khan Younis. Reuters
    Palestinians gather at the site of Israeli strikes on a residential building in Khan Younis. Reuters
  • Thousands of civilians, both Palestinians and Israelis, have died since October 7, 2023. AFP
    Thousands of civilians, both Palestinians and Israelis, have died since October 7, 2023. AFP
  • A Palestinian woman sits in the rubble as rescuers look for her relatives following the Israeli bombardment of Khan Younis. AFP
    A Palestinian woman sits in the rubble as rescuers look for her relatives following the Israeli bombardment of Khan Younis. AFP
  • Smoke rises from Gaza as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas continues. Reuters
    Smoke rises from Gaza as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas continues. Reuters
  • Mourners at the funeral of Druze Israeli Lt Col Salman Habaka in the village of Yanuh Jat, northern Israel. AP
    Mourners at the funeral of Druze Israeli Lt Col Salman Habaka in the village of Yanuh Jat, northern Israel. AP
  • A Palestinian boy pulled from the rubble of a building following an Israeli air attack on Bureij refugee camp, in the Gaza Strip. AP
    A Palestinian boy pulled from the rubble of a building following an Israeli air attack on Bureij refugee camp, in the Gaza Strip. AP
  • A survivor calls from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis following Israeli air attacks. EPA
    A survivor calls from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis following Israeli air attacks. EPA
  • People wait on the Egyptian side of the border after passing the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. EPA
    People wait on the Egyptian side of the border after passing the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. EPA
  • Pro-Palestinian supporters during a demonstration near a US military transport vessel at the Port of Oakland in California. AP
    Pro-Palestinian supporters during a demonstration near a US military transport vessel at the Port of Oakland in California. AP

The Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 that triggered the hostilities killed about 300 soldiers and 1,100 civilians, Israel says.

Gaza health authorities say at least 9,227 people have been killed since Israel started its blitz on the enclave of 2.3 million people in retaliation for the Hamas rampage.

Mainz, without a league win this season, are bottom of the Bundesliga with three points and host RB Leizpig on Saturday.

Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

6 UNDERGROUND

Director: Michael Bay

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco

2.5 / 5 stars

Updated: November 04, 2023, 9:28 AM