Club Abandon Move for Israeli Striker Over Controversial Social Media Activity

Fortuna Düsseldorf have scrapped plans to sign Israeli striker Shon Weissman after controversial social media activity by the player resurfaced, prompting backlash and raising concerns about alignment with the club’s values.

The 2. Bundesliga side had reached an agreement to bring the 29-year-old from Spanish outfit Granada, with Weissman already in Düsseldorf and having undergone medical tests in anticipation of completing the deal. However, the move was abandoned following the emergence of his past social media posts related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

On Tuesday, Fortuna publicly confirmed the reversal of their decision, stating via social media: “We looked into Shon Weissman intensively, but ultimately decided not to sign him.”

Weissman, who has 33 caps for Israel, was found to have made a number of posts in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.  One post he liked stated: “there are no innocents [in Gaza], they don’t need to be warned.”

A representative for Weissman has since stated the striker “regrets the previous interactions on social media” and explained that “his emotions were high in the immediate aftermath” of the October attacks. The posts in question were later deleted.

Fortuna Düsseldorf emphasized that their decision was not related to Weissman’s nationality or religion, but rather a reflection of their commitment to being an inclusive and tolerant club. “We are an open club that actively opposes racism, exclusion, and hatred,” a club statement explained.

German football is unique in its structure, with the “50+1” rule giving fans and members significant influence over key club decisions, including player signings.

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