Anwar El Ghazi wins unfair dismissal case against Mainz 05 after firing over Palestine posts
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German Bundesliga club FSV Mainz 05 has lost its appeal against a court ruling that deemed the dismissal of former player Anwar El Ghazi unfair, confirming the club's obligation to pay him €1.5 million in back wages.
The decision by the Rhineland-Palatinate State Labor Court on November 13, 2025, upholds the initial judgment from July 2024, emphasizing that El Ghazi's freedom of expression outweighed the club's grounds for termination. El Ghazi, a Dutch winger, had his contract terminated in November 2023 following social media posts related to the 'Israel'-Gaza aggression.
El Ghazi joined Mainz on a two-year deal in September 2023 but faced controversy shortly after. On October 8, 2023, he shared an Instagram story stating, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," in response to the Hamas attacks on 'Israel' the previous day. Mainz suspended him on October 17, citing views incompatible with the club's values. After an internal meeting where he reportedly expressed remorse, he was reinstated with a warning.
However, El Ghazi soon posted again, denying any regret or apology for his stance, prompting Mainz to sack him without notice on November 3, 2023. The club argued his statements contradicted their principles and damaged their reputation. El Ghazi sued, claiming wrongful termination and infringement on his right to free speech.
In the initial ruling by the Mainz Labor Court in July 2024, the dismissal was declared invalid. The court ordered payment of €1.5 million, covering wages from November 2023 to July 2024, when his contract would have expired. Mainz paid the sum in August 2024 but proceeded with an appeal, seeking to overturn the decision.
The appellate court swiftly rejected the club's arguments, finding that while El Ghazi's posts were contentious, they did not justify immediate dismissal after weighing interests. Mainz chairman Stefan Hofmann accepted the verdict but reaffirmed the club's stance: "We stand by our position... The continued employment of persons who express and behave in fundamental contradiction to these values will be excluded in the future."
El Ghazi celebrated the outcome with a scathing Instagram post, labeling Mainz "serial losers" and criticizing their "deluded" handling of the case. He emphasized his unwavering support for Palestine, stating, "You cannot, and will not, silence the voices of the Palestinians and their advocates." The former Aston Villa and Everton player, now 30, remains a free agent.
The case highlights tensions in European football over players' political expressions amid global conflicts, potentially setting precedents for free speech in sports contracts. Mainz, currently mid-table in the Bundesliga, has moved on without further legal recourse, focusing on aligning hires with their core values.
