• Several clubs have taken action against players for speaking out against the Israeli attacks on Gaza
• Some have also been accused by media of having ties with a ‘proscribed’ Muslim group

Despite their popularity and success both on and off the pitch, in addition to their high spirit of patriotism, representing their national teams for years, some Muslim athletes and footballers have been attacked for voicing support and solidarity with the Palestinian civilians in the ongoing Israeli attack on Gaza.

The 2022 Ballon d’Or recipient and former Real Madrid star, Karim Benzema is the latest, as he has s been accused of having ties with The Muslim Brotherhood just for the prayers he posted for the people of Gaza.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin made the claims during an interview French television network CNews, Football Espana reported.

📚 Read Also:  Over 800 International Law Scholars Warn of Potential Genocide in Gaza

Backing this up, another French politician, Valerie Boyer, a conservative senator in the country, has called for extreme sanctions against Benzema.

“If the Interior Minister’s claims are confirmed, we have to consider sanctions against Karim Benzema. A symbolic sanction would first be to take away the Ballon d’Or. Then, we have to ask for his nationality to be withdrawn.

“We cannot accept that a French bi-national, a recognized international, dishonours and betrays our country in this way.”

According to Le Parisien, Benzema’s lawyer has revealed that they are considering taking legal action against the politician for both defamation and manipulation while in a position of government.

Noussair Mazraoui

Bayern Munich’s defender Noussair Mazraoui showed his support for Palestinians by sharing a post featuring the Palestinian flag, accompanied with a prayer for victory.

“God help our persecuted brothers in Palestine so that they attain victory,” he wrote. “May God have mercy on the dead, may God heal their wounded.” 

This is the man that accused Mazraoui of being a “Terror Advocate” for simply putting a picture of the palestinian flag 🇵🇸. Walter attempts to silence free speech by intimidation.. in Germany.. where they vowed to “never again”

Some people fail to escape their past.. https://t.co/dWiXWRqxEQ pic.twitter.com/8hg2EAqLS5

—  علي السّامرّائي | Ali (@AliBabaBavaria) October 15, 2023

Mazraoui’s post has sparked a significant wave of media harassment against him in Germany, accusing the player of inciting terrorism and anti-Semitism.

Bild, the leading German Tabloid, later shared an explanatory statement issued by the 25-year-old player.

“First of all, I would like to say that it is really disappointing that I have to explain what I stand for,” Bild quoted Mazraoui as saying.

“There is a situation out there where thousands of innocent people are murdered. This means that I will always be against all kinds of terrorism, hatred, and violence. And that’s something I’ll always stand behind”.

Suspending Players

Muslim Athletes Stand in Solidarity with Palestine

The former Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi has been also suspended by Mainz over a social media post relating to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

The 28-year-old Dutchman, who joined Mainz last month, has since deleted the pro-Palestinian post.

In a statement on Tuesday, the club said: “Prior to making this decision, the club and the player had engaged in an in-depth discussion.”

Elsewhere, Nice defender Youcef Atal is being investigated by prosecutors in France after allegedly posting an “anti-Semitic” video on social media relating to war on Gaza.

The French Football Federation (FFF) ethics council is also investigating the defender.

Atal, who has three million followers on Instagram, wrote: “I am aware that my publication shocked people, which was not my intention, and I apologize for that.

“I strongly condemn all forms of violence, anywhere in the world, and I support all victims. I will never support a message of hatred. Peace is an ideal in which I firmly believe.”

Tennis & Swimming

500 Arrested in Capitol as Jewish Groups Protest Israel War on Gaza

Two-time Wimbledon finalist Tunisian Ons Jabeur has also faced backlash following the ‘Free Palestine’ Instagram story.

Jabeur also shared a post by the International Committee of the Red Cross in an Instagram story condemning the strike on Gaza’s Al-Ahli Arab Hospital that killed almost 500 people, The National reported.

Her posts apparently angered the president of the Israeli Tennis Association (ITA), Avi Peretz, who accused her of supporting a “murderous terrorist organization”.

Abdelrahman Sameh, an Egyptian swimmer who won the men’s 50m butterfly gold medal at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2023, revealed that he also has received death threats due to his vocal support for Palestine, State of Swimming reported.