Nice defender Youcef Atal has been given a seven-match suspension by the French Football Association (LFP) over a social media post relating to the Israel-Gaza war.
Atal shared a video on Instagram in October which was widely condemned for being offensive towards Jewish people.
The 27-year-old quickly deleted the video and apologised for the post.
The LFP’s disciplinary committee have enforced a seven-game ban which comes into force from October 31 following a referral from the National Ethics Council
Nice public prosecutor’s office opened “a preliminary investigation into charges of glorifying terrorism and public provocation to hatred or violence because of a specific religion” following Atal’s post earlier this month.
Nice suspended the full-back on October 18 and said they spoke to him as soon as he returned from international duty with Algeria.
“OGC Nice understands that the player has acknowledged his error by quickly withdrawing the sharing of the publication and has offered a public apology in writing,” a statement from the Ligue 1 club read.
“Nevertheless, given the nature of the publication shared, and its seriousness, the club has taken the decision to take immediate disciplinary action against the player, prior to any action that may be taken by sporting and legal authorities.”
In his apology on Instagram, Atal said: “I am aware that my post shocked many people, which wasn’t my intention, and I apologise.
“I want to clarify my point of view without any ambiguity: I strongly denounce all forms of violence, anywhere in the world, and I support all victims of violence.
“I would never support a message of hate. Peace is an ideal in which I strongly believe.”
(Photo: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
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