Maccabi Germany President criticizes Bayern's handling of Mazraoui case
Speaking on German public television last night, the President of Germany's most prominent Jewish sports association criticized FC Bayern München for its handling of fullback Noussair Mazraoui's perceived anti-Israeli social media post earlier in the week.
After taking time to consider an official censure, FC Bayern München ultimately opted to release a joint apologetic statement together with Dutch-Moroccan fullback Noussair Mazraoui on Friday. The player published controversial comments relating to the current Hamas-Israeli conflict on his social media feed earlier this week.
Mazraoui remained absent from the Bayern squad during yesterday evening's 3-1 win over FSV Mainz 05. Mainz themselves had indefinitely suspended Mazraoui's Dutch-Morroccan compatriot Anwar El-Ghazi following his own controversial social media post some days ago. Asked to comment on the divergent responses by the two clubs on ZDF's "Sport-Studio" last night, Alon Meyer of the Jewish sports association "Maccabi Germany" condemned Bayern's actions.
"To let the player continue at the club without any consequences is absolutely out of the question and unacceptable to me," Meyer said, "Bayern is counteracting the work we do every day. We want to build bridges and break down prejudices. Our work is being trampled upon with this post."
"[The player's statement] neither mentions a massacre nor labels Hamas a terrorist organization," Meyer continued, "In this respect, the statement conveys nothing to me and is very devastating. With Bayern unable to set an example, the damage to Bayern, the Bundesliga, and society at large is tremendous."
Meyer directly addressed the differences between Mainz's handling of El Ghazi and Bayern's treatment of Mazraoui. Bayern's shortage of options at the right fullback position remains no secret. Midfielder Konrad Laimer once again started in the back-four last night. After the failed attempts to procure a replacement for the loaned out Josip Stanisic at the end of the transfer window, Meyer directly accused Bayern of protecting their own sporting interests above all else.
"If he were a #19 player, the response would have been more vigorous," Meyer said, "They need to have the civil courage to set a good example. That's precisely what's needed here."