LONDON — August 6, 2025
German football club Fortuna Düsseldorf has officially canceled the transfer of Israeli striker Shon Weissman, following intense backlash over his alleged inflammatory social media posts related to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
The club confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating in a brief message on X (formerly Twitter):
“We looked into Shon Weissman intensively, but ultimately decided not to sign him.”
Although the club did not specify a reason, German newspaper Bild reported that the move was reversed due to fan outrage over Weissman’s online behavior, which some described as “disrespectful and discriminatory.”
🔥 Social Media Posts Sparked Online Protest
Weissman, who was set to join from Spanish club Granada in a reported €500,000 ($580,000) deal, had already arrived in Düsseldorf and completed medical checks. However, news of the planned transfer on Monday prompted a wave of criticism across social media.
Critics pointed to controversial posts attributed to Weissman, including statements allegedly made after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. These included:
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Calls to “wipe Gaza off the map”
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Statements supporting the dropping of “200 tons of bombs” on Gaza
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Liking a post declaring “there are no innocents” in Gaza
According to Bild, some of these posts had been previously flagged, and a hate speech complaint was filed against Weissman in 2023 by a Granada-based prosecutor.
Weissman’s agent has previously claimed that a social media manager was responsible for the posts, which were later deleted.
⚽ Club's Response and Reversal
Initially, Fortuna Düsseldorf appeared to defend the player, posting on X:
“What’s going on here? I keep getting messages. Judging people you don’t know based on their Wikipedia page? That doesn’t reflect our values.”
However, the post was later obscured, and growing pressure from fans — many arguing that the player’s views conflicted with the club’s core principles — forced a swift reversal.
📍 A Broader Pattern in German Football
This is not the first time the Israel-Gaza war has reverberated through German football:
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Anwar El Ghazi, a Dutch international, was sacked by Mainz in 2023 for pro-Palestinian social media comments. He later won a wrongful dismissal lawsuit, now under appeal.
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Noussair Mazraoui, a former Bayern Munich defender, also faced backlash after sharing pro-Palestinian content. He later issued a public apology.
The Weissman case highlights the increasing scrutiny footballers face over political and humanitarian issues — especially in Germany, where sensitivity around antisemitism and free speech plays a pivotal role in public discourse.
🌍 Shon Weissman’s Career Snapshot
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Age: 29
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National Team: 33 caps for Israel
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Club History: Played for Granada CF, Valladolid, and Austrian side Wolfsberger AC
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Controversies: Accused of sharing hate-inciting content; legal complaint filed in 2023; deal with Düsseldorf canceled in 2025
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