Footballer donates £420,000 to Gaza

Former Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi has emerged victorious in a legal dispute with German club Mainz regarding his contract termination. El Ghazi, who had a four-season tenure at Aston Villa and a brief loan at Everton, saw his contract with Mainz canceled on November 2, 2022, following his social media post about the Israel-Gaza conflict. In a significant ruling last month, a German court upheld El Ghazi's complaint of wrongful dismissal, determining that the club had acted improperly in terminating his contract. Reports indicate that the 29-year-old is owed approximately £1.4 million in unpaid salary and bonuses as a result of this decision. On Friday evening, El Ghazi took to social media to announce that he had received a substantial payment from Mainz, signaling a positive outcome from the court's ruling. His statement reflects relief and satisfaction with the resolution of the matter, which had significant implications for his career and financial situation. This case highlights the ongoing discussions around player rights and the impact of social media on professional sports. El Ghazi's experience serves as a reminder of the complexities athletes face when expressing their views on sensitive global issues, as well as the potential legal ramifications that can arise from such actions.