DUSSELSDORF, Germany (AP) — Fortuna Dusseldorf’s president defended the German football club’s decision to sign Israeli player Shon Weissmann after fans’ backlash over his controversial social media posts on Gaza.
Düsseldorf announced Tuesday that he would not sign Weissmann from Spanish Team Granada despite the high-level negotiations.
Fans opposed the planned signature of 29-year-old Weissman for a social media post expressing support for Israeli actions in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
in Social Media Posts When announcing the decision Tuesday, the club did not say why it halted the transfer. However, Fortuna has published it statement On Friday, Weissman said “the social media statement and subsequent treatment were not in line with our values.”
Chairman Klaus Allofs defended the club’s decision before the team’s game against Hanover on Saturday, but acknowledged that a faster process to reach the decision would be desirable.
“I’m not saying it’s wrong. We tried to sign the players, but I think it’s legal,” Allofs said. “It’s also part of our value, limiting ourselves with prejudice and not rule out things from the start.”
Allofs said they had intentionally waited for the club to consult with members of the Jewish community at Düsseldorf before opposing the signature.
Asked about the anti-Semitism accusations, Arof said, “It’s ridiculous to say that frankly.”
Israeli Air Force and Ground Campaigns have killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza. expelled most of the population, A vast area has been destroyed and He pushed the territory into hunger. Hamas-led militants sparked a war when they entered Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and acquiring 251 people.
Immediately after those attacks, Weissmann Sitting in a Spanish League match in Osasuna About security concerns. Authorities were concerned about the potentially hostile atmosphere created by Osasuna supporters who were angry at Weissman’s social media post.
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