German football club Mainz reacted with 'surprise and incomprehension' about statements made by Anwar El Ghazi on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
The club suspended the Dutch international for a number of social media posts related to the conflict but said Monday the player could return "soon" after he "explicitly distanced himself" from the statements.
El Ghazi, however, took to social media on Wednesday, saying "I do not regret or have any remorse for my position."
"Any other statements, comments or apologies to the contrary attributed to me are not factually correct and have not been made or authorised by me."
Mainz responded to El Ghazi's posts on Wednesday, also on social media, saying the club would "examine the matter legally and then evaluate it."
El Ghazi, who hails from Moroccan origins, was suspended on October 17 for taking a "position on the conflict in the Middle East in a manner that wasn't tolerable for the club", Mainz said in a previous statement.
He had shared several posts on social media early in the conflict, including the phrase "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free".
Mainz said Wednesday El Ghazi had "called in sick on Monday and was currently not in training."
Germany has banned all demonstrations expressing opposition to the Israeli war on Gaza or support for the Palestinian Cause.
Israeli forces have carried out relentless airstrikes and bombardment of the Gaza Strip since 7 October, killing nearly 9,000 and wounding more than 22,000.
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