Mainz Ordered to Pay El Ghazi After Court Overturns Sacking

Bundesliga club Mainz must pay the full salary to former Aston Villa and Everton winger Anwar El Ghazi after a German court ruled that his dismissal over pro-Palestine social media comments was invalid. The Rhineland-Palatinate State Labour Court’s decision, which upholds an earlier verdict from 2024, concludes a lengthy legal battle and spotlights the tension between freedom of expression and organizational values in professional football.

Mainz’s Dismissal of El Ghazi Challenged in Court

Mainz terminated El Ghazi’s contract in late 2023 following a series of social media posts in which the Dutch international expressed support for Palestine. Initially, the club issued a warning after his first post, but El Ghazi’s subsequent statement in support of his views led to immediate dismissal. Despite deleting the post and apologizing—stating he stood for “peace and humanity”—El Ghazi could not change the club’s stance.

However, the court found Mainz’s actions to be legally unjustified, ruling that El Ghazi’s right to freedom of expression outweighed the club’s reasoning for termination. The court emphasized that expressing a personal political opinion, in this case related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, did not amount to grounds for summary dismissal. As a result, Mainz is now legally obligated to compensate El Ghazi for the remainder of his contract.

El Ghazi’s Football Journey: From Ajax to Al-Sailiya

Born in the Netherlands, Anwar El Ghazi started his professional career at Ajax in 2014, quickly establishing himself as a talented winger. After four years in Amsterdam, he joined Lille in France for €8 million. Following an injury-affected spell, he moved on loan to Aston Villa in 2018, where he played a crucial role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League. His strong performances led Villa to make the move permanent in 2019.

El Ghazi’s time in the Premier League saw him notch four goals and four assists in his debut season, contributing to Villa’s top-flight survival. In 2022, he signed for Everton but struggled for minutes and soon transferred back to the Eredivisie with PSV. A brief stint in Eindhoven preceded his move to Mainz, where he played just three substitute appearances before controversy struck. Now, El Ghazi continues his career with Qatari side Al-Sailiya, having signed a two-year contract in September 2024.

Club Values Versus Player Rights: The Debate Continues

The high-profile case has reignited debate within the football community about the boundaries between players’ rights and club values. Mainz chairman Stefan Hofmann acknowledged the court’s ruling, stating: “We have to accept this decision. However, we stand by our position on the substance: Based on the values and convictions that define Mainz 05, the continued employment of persons who express and behave in fundamental contradiction to these values will be excluded in the future as well.”

This statement underscores the ongoing challenge for clubs trying to balance employee freedoms with institutional principles, especially in the age of global social media reach and instant public reactions.

What’s Next for Mainz and El Ghazi?

While Mainz must now fulfill their financial obligations to El Ghazi, the club’s leadership is likely to revisit its internal policies to prevent similar situations. For El Ghazi, the verdict not only provides financial redress but also sets an important precedent for other professional athletes facing disciplinary actions over personal opinions voiced online.

El Ghazi, for his part, appears focused on rebuilding his career on the pitch with Al-Sailiya. The Dutch winger’s journey—from Ajax to the Premier League and now Qatar—demonstrates both his resilience and adaptability in the face of controversy.

Opinion: Freedom of Expression in Football Must Be Protected

This case highlights the delicate balance between a club’s values and a player’s right to free speech. Regardless of one’s views on the issues raised in El Ghazi’s post, it is vital that football clubs respect fundamental rights while maintaining open dialogue about their core beliefs. As the game becomes increasingly global and diverse, protecting players’ freedom of expression—without compromising the integrity of the sport—should remain a priority. For more news and updates on major football stories, visit for more news.