Anwar El Ghazi has sent a powerful message to his former club Mainz after a German court upheld the ruling that his dismissal two years ago was unlawful. Mainz had terminated El Ghazi’s contract following his social media posts about the war in Gaza, prompting the player to take legal action for wrongful dismissal.
After winning his case at the Mainz Labour Court last summer, El Ghazi was awarded £1.3 million in unpaid wages. Mainz appealed the ruling, but the Rhineland-Palatinate State Labour Court confirmed the original decision, closing the door on any further appeals.
The court stated, “The chamber interpreted the posts objectively and, in balancing the interests involved, found that freedom of expression outweighed the employer’s concerns.” It added that claims regarding missed deadlines played no part in rejecting the appeal.
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Mainz’s club president, Stefan Hofmann, acknowledged the verdict, saying, “We have to accept the court’s decision,” while maintaining, “However, we stand firmly by our position.”
In response, El Ghazi shared a detailed statement on social media, voicing his frustration with Mainz’s ongoing legal challenges. “Another day, another hearing, another appeal, and still the same outcome: a loss for FSV Mainz 05,” he wrote, referencing the club’s disappointing football season along with their legal defeats.
El Ghazi praised the German courts for delivering justice against what he described as “baseless and nonsensical claims” from Mainz. He made it clear that he opposes any group seeking to silence advocates for justice, emphasizing his values do not align with organizations supporting violations of international law and human rights abuses.
“No one is above the law,” El Ghazi asserted. “Let this victory send a message to warmongers, accomplices, and the misguided leaders at Mainz: you cannot silence the voices of Palestinians and their advocates. Viva Palestina!”
During his career, El Ghazi made 119 appearances and scored 26 goals for Aston Villa before loan moves to Everton and PSV. He later signed permanently with Mainz, then moved to Cardiff City after the original dismissal ruling. Most recently, El Ghazi inked a deal with Qatar Stars League club Al-Sailiya, where he has made an impact, including scoring a decisive goal in the QSL Cup.