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.



French Open Organizers Introduce Draw to Access Ticket Sales

Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)
Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)
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French Open Organizers Introduce Draw to Access Ticket Sales

Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)
Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)

French Open organizers are introducing a draw system to access ticket sales for the clay-court Grand Slam tournament.

The French tennis federation said Tuesday it faces an “ever-increasing demand” and that the trial of a random draw for the general public should help reduce waiting times and ensure a fairer access to seats.

“Finally, this new sales system will make it possible to combat fraud and the purchase of tickets by bots,” organizers said.

Registration for the draw will run from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9. Being selected in the draw will guarantee access to ticket sales, but not necessarily the right to receive tickets for a specific day or court, organizers said.

The French federation has also limited the maximum number of tickets one can buy for the main courts to four per person.

The French Open takes place from May 25-June 8 at Roland Garros stadium in Paris.