Algeria's Atal Signs for Turkish Club After France Conviction

Algeria defender Youcef Atal at the Africa Cup of Nations -AFP
Algeria defender Youcef Atal at the Africa Cup of Nations -AFP
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Algeria's Atal Signs for Turkish Club After France Conviction

Algeria defender Youcef Atal at the Africa Cup of Nations -AFP
Algeria defender Youcef Atal at the Africa Cup of Nations -AFP

Algerian defender Youcef Atal has signed for Turkish club Adana Demirspor after receiving a suspended sentence in France last month for inciting religious hatred about the conflict in Gaza, his club Nice announced Friday.

"Six months from the end of his contract, Youcef Atal leaves OGC Nice for Türkiye," Nice said in a statement.

"The club wishes him good luck for the rest of his career."

The 27-year-old right-back was handed an eight-month suspended sentence by a court in the Riviera city last month.

He shared a video to his Instagram account five days after Hamas' October 7 assault on Israel, showing a preacher, Mahmoud Al Hasanat, calling for a "black day for the Jews".

He was also fined 45,000 euros ($49,000).

The player apologized after deleting the post and appealed the judgement.

He was suspended by his club and also suspended for seven matches by the LFP disciplinary committee, and has not reappeared for Nice since.

Capped 29 times for Algeria, Atal participated in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.



Injured Maignan to Return to Milan after Overnight Hospital Stay

Football - Serie A - Udinese v AC Milan - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - April 11, 2025 AC Milan's Mike Maignan during the match. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Udinese v AC Milan - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - April 11, 2025 AC Milan's Mike Maignan during the match. (Reuters)
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Injured Maignan to Return to Milan after Overnight Hospital Stay

Football - Serie A - Udinese v AC Milan - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - April 11, 2025 AC Milan's Mike Maignan during the match. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Udinese v AC Milan - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - April 11, 2025 AC Milan's Mike Maignan during the match. (Reuters)

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan spent the night in a hospital after being carried off on a stretcher following a collision with teammate Alex Jimenez in the second half of their 4-0 win at Udinese on Friday.

The club has confirmed Maignan will make his way back to Milan on Saturday after spending time under observation in the hospital.

Milan were 2-0 up at Udinese in Serie A when Maignan left his box and clashed heads with Jimenez while attempting to block the ball in the 51st minute, rendering him unconscious.

Jimenez, who also took a heavy knock to the head, initially played on but was forced off about 18 minutes later.

"Fortunately, Mike is fine. We all asked the doctor how he was, and he reassured us by telling us that he’s in the hospital for tests, but he’s doing okay. He’s a great captain," Milan defender Matteo Gabbia told reporters after the game.