By Maryam Ahmad
Bundesliga club Mainz 05 have lost their appeal against the unfair dismissal ruling in favour of Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi, who has been awarded €1.7 million in compensation.
A German labour court had earlier found that the club acted unlawfully when it terminated El Ghazi’s contract in November 2023 following social-media posts he made during the Gaza–Israel crisis. The arbitration panel upheld that decision, rejecting Mainz’s argument that the posts constituted grounds for immediate dismissal.
In a statement, Mainz said it accepted the ruling but stressed its commitment to maintaining its internal code of conduct. El Ghazi welcomed the outcome, describing it as a vindication of his right to express his views.