Mainz Ordered to Pay Full Salary to El Ghazi After Unlawful Dismissal

Mainz pay full salary to Anwar El Ghazi after a landmark court decision, following the club’s attempt to dismiss the Dutch winger over pro-Palestine social media statements. The ruling has significant implications for freedom of expression within professional football and sets a precedent for clubs and players alike.

Mainz Pay Full Salary to Anwar El Ghazi: Court Decision Explained

The ongoing legal battle between Bundesliga club Mainz and Anwar El Ghazi has reached a decisive end. The Rhineland-Palatinate State Labour Court upheld a previous ruling that Mainz’s termination of El Ghazi’s contract, based on his pro-Palestine social media posts, was invalid. The court emphasized that El Ghazi’s right to freedom of expression superseded the club’s justification for dismissal. As a result, Mainz is now required to pay the full contractually agreed salary owed to the former Aston Villa and Everton winger for the entire duration of his deal.

Background: El Ghazi’s Contract Termination at Mainz

El Ghazi was dismissed by Mainz in late 2023 after publishing a social media post voicing support for Palestine, shortly after the Hamas attacks on Israel. His post, which included the phrase, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” was deemed unacceptable by the club, prompting immediate suspension. Despite deleting the post and issuing a public apology, El Ghazi reiterated his stance in a subsequent post, leading Mainz to terminate his contract for what they saw as a violation of club values. However, the court found that Mainz’s actions did not meet the threshold for summary dismissal, affirming El Ghazi’s right to express personal political opinions.

Career Journey: From Ajax to Qatar

Anwar El Ghazi’s football career began in the Netherlands with Ajax, where he made a quick impact after debuting in 2014. He then moved to Lille in France in 2017 before joining Aston Villa on loan and later permanently, playing a crucial role in their promotion to the Premier League and subsequent top-flight survival. In 2022, he signed with Everton but struggled to secure playing time, prompting a return to the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven. El Ghazi’s journey took him to Mainz in September 2023, but after only three substitute appearances, his time in Germany was cut short due to the controversy surrounding his social media activity. Following the termination, El Ghazi signed a two-year contract with Al-Sailiya in Qatar, where he continues his career today.

Mainz’s Stance and Reaction to the Ruling

Club chairman Stefan Hofmann acknowledged the court’s decision, 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 response underscores Mainz’s commitment to their core principles, even as they comply with the legal ramifications of the ruling and pay El Ghazi his full salary.

Broader Impact on Football and Freedom of Speech

The Mainz-El Ghazi case has sparked wider debate within the football community about the limits of personal expression for professional athletes. The court’s verdict reinforces the idea that players retain certain rights to express political or humanitarian views, even while under contract with a club. This outcome will likely influence how teams and sporting organizations across Europe handle similar issues in the future.

What’s Next for Mainz and El Ghazi?

With the court ruling now final, Mainz have no option but to fulfill their contractual obligations to El Ghazi. Meanwhile, the Dutch winger appears focused on his career in Qatar with Al-Sailiya, looking to put the controversy behind him and revitalize his playing days in a new environment.

For more updates and the latest developments in the football world, visit for more news on our homepage.

Opinion: A Pivotal Moment for Player Rights

This decision is a significant one for player rights and the ongoing balance between club values and individual freedoms. While clubs understandably seek to uphold their identities and standards, it is vital that athletes are not unduly penalized for personal beliefs expressed respectfully. The Mainz pay full salary to Anwar El Ghazi case serves as a timely reminder for football governing bodies to provide clearer guidelines in this evolving landscape, ensuring both organizational integrity and player autonomy.