Al Sadd stands behind Algerian star Youcef Atal amid French legal proceedings

Al Sadd has declared its full support for Algerian international Youcef Atal as he faces legal proceedings in France over allegations of inciting religious hatred, following a controversial social media post made in October 2023.

Atal, who joined the Qatari club earlier this year, is currently appealing a conviction handed down by a French court.

He was initially sentenced to an eight-month suspended prison term and ordered to pay a €45,000 fine after reposting a video on Instagram that authorities deemed to incite hatred based on religion.

The verdict sparked widespread debate, and the appeal is set to be heard at the Aix-en-Provence court, with a ruling expected on April 30, 2025.

In an official statement, Al Sadd strongly condemned the initial ruling, describing it as “unjust” and asserting that the player’s actions were misinterpreted.

“What Youcef Atal did is a sincere and natural expression of a normal human being in the face of the oppression suffered by the people of Gaza,” the club said.

They further characterized Atal’s post as a “humanitarian act” aimed at expressing solidarity with Palestinian civilians, rather than promoting hatred.

The Qatari side emphasised that Atal’s actions reflected “the conscience of every free human being” and praised what it termed his “courageous stance.”

Al Sadd also revealed that it is dedicating all necessary resources to support the player throughout the legal process, framing the case as an example of “dual standards” in the application of justice.

Following the initial outcry over the post, Atal publicly apologised, claiming he had not watched the full content of the video before sharing it.

He insisted that his intent was never to incite hatred but to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Despite this explanation and his apology, the French court moved forward with prosecution, resulting in the initial sentence that he is now contesting.

The controversy significantly impacted Atal’s career trajectory. Once a key figure at Ligue 1 side OGC Nice, he left the French club in January 2024.

A brief stint in Turkey followed before he signed with Al Sadd, where he is now rebuilding both his sporting profile and personal reputation.

His move to Qatar has also placed him in an environment more publicly sympathetic to his expression of support for Palestine.

Al Sadd’s public backing of Atal represents a notable moment in the case, as the club not only defends his individual actions but also implicitly challenges the broader legal and political framework surrounding the case.

The statement suggests the club views the legal proceedings as emblematic of deeper inconsistencies in the global approach to freedom of expression.

As the April court date nears, the outcome of the appeal will not only determine Atal’s legal fate but may also influence the wider conversation around athletes, activism, and the boundaries of political expression in sport.

بيان رسمي #يوسف_عطال#السد | #AlSadd

— ???? #79 Al Sadd SC | نادي السد (@AlsaddSC) April 4, 2025