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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
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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.

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Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
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Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)

Nick Kyrgios’ planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open is in doubt after he sustained an abdominal injury and was forced to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist, sidelined with wrist and knee injuries since the 2022 US Open, said in an Instagram post Wednesday that an ultrasound scan had revealed an abdominal strain and "unfortunately (I) won’t be able to play my good friend (Djokovic) this Thursday."

He said he’d be resting and doing everything possible to be ready for the Australian Open, which starts Sunday at Melbourne Park.

The mercurial Australian, who has become a popular commentator during his lengthy stints on the injured list, made his competitive comeback last week at Brisbane, where he played one singles match and partnered with Djokovic in two doubles matches.

Djokovic and Kyrgios won their opening doubles match, a crowd-pleasing, fist-pumping affair by both players at Pat Rafter Arena before a 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 loss to Nikola Mektic of Croatia and New Zealander Michael Venus.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley remained confident Kyrgios would play at the year's first major.

"I think it’s just precautionary, that’s the word we’ve got from him," Tiley said Wednesday, responding to questions about the potential absence of the star Australian. "Nick’s not the only one not doing some of their pre-planned matches over the next few days. There’s no concerns ahead of the Open."