Mainz 05 has already paid back pay totaling around €1.5 million to its former player Anwar El Ghazi. Now, a further sum in the high six-figure range could be added. This is becoming apparent following the hearing before the Rhineland-Palatinate Regional Labor Court, which is suggesting a settlement.
In the oral appeal hearing (AZ: 3 SLa 254/24), both parties stated that they wanted to seek an out-of-court settlement regarding the termination. This involves a further back payment of salary. In the first instance, the labor court had only taken into account the period up to June 2024. However, Anwar El Ghazi had signed a contract in September 2023 that ran until the end of June 2025. Presiding judge Andreas Budroweit suggested a sum of around €800,000.
Mainz 05 had terminated the Dutch player of Moroccan origin without notice in November 2023 after he had forwarded a pro-Palestinian post on social media. The post contained the slogan “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free.”
Mainz 05 initially suspended the then 26-year-old and, after a discussion, issued a press release stating that El Ghazi was remorseful and would be pardoned. The player denied this version of events on his Instagram account. After some back and forth, the extraordinary termination without notice was issued.
El Ghazi joined English second division club Cardiff City for the 2024/25 season. After the club was relegated, the contract-free player moved to Al-Sailiya in Qatar a few days ago. According to reports, the 30-year-old earned less in Cardiff than the amount agreed in his contract with Mainz. In addition to a monthly salary of €150,000, the two-year contract provided for four so-called loyalty bonuses, which totaled €1.4 million.
