An Arab social media pundit has been sacked by Dagenham & Redbridge FC after just three days following complaints by pro-Israel activists over comments critical of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
Salma Mashhour, an Egyptian YouTuber and football presenter, was appointed with fanfare as the Daggers’ Director of Development & Engagement on April 14.
However, she has now been removed from the post, “effective immediately”, the club confirmed in a statement released on its website April 17.
The statement did not reveal the reason behind Ms Mashhour’s dismissal but a pro-Israel newspaper claimed it was because she expressed views in the past “supporting Hamas” on social media.
Dagenham and Redbridge FC appointed Ms Mashhour alongside fellow Egyptian YouTuber and businessman Marwan Serry, who joined the club’s ownership.
In an earlier statement about Mr Serry’s appointment, the club said it was hoping to expand its “global footprint” and connect with “Arabic-speaking audiences.”
However, in response to the sacking of Ms Mashhour, Mr Serry has announced he is ditching the club and withdrawing his investment.
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“I officially announce my complete withdrawal from the ownership of Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club and the cancellation of the investment project in the club. We will not compromise our principles, and legal procedures are currently being taken to reclaim Salma’s rights. Thank you for your continued support.”
Mashhour’s anti-Israel comments
According to a petition on Change.org demanding that Ms Mashhour be Mr Salwan be removed from the club, Ms Mashhour posted a comment in October 2023 expressing views about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
“I remember in the immediate aftermath of Oct 7, my privileged ignorant self thinking why would Hamas do that knowing the devastating repercussions that would ensue, but now I completely understand it.
“You must be deluded to think that children who survive this won’t grow up and try to do anything they can to defend their land and their homes and to avenge the slaughter of their families! OCCUPATION creates resistance, ISRAEL created Hamas and self defence is NOT TERRORISM.”
According to the petition, which only managed to secure 558 signatures, Mashhour’s views justified the attack by Hamas on the Israel.
The post has since been deleted but the complaints appear to have persuaded the club to sack their first ever Arab director after just three days.
The petition organiser, Nick Benney, posted an update on the petition celebrating the announcement.
“Everyone — we did it. It only took us four days, but after Salma’s unceremonious sacking on Thursday Marwan Serry has just announced his departure from the club on social media.
“Thank you for all of your signatures, even those who signed with abusive names… Each and every one of you helped raise awareness that bigotry & terrorism has no place in our club, community or sport as a whole.”
Divided reactions
Local Labour MP Margaret Mullane is now seeking an urgent meeting with the club’s management to address what she called a “deeply concerning” situation, adding on X the she was “pleased” that the club took “decisive action” in the removal of Ms Mashhour.
However, previous Green Party parliamentary candidate for Ilford South Syed Siddiqi posted on X that he was “appalled” by the decision.
“I’m appalled that Dagenham & Redbridge FC has removed Salma Mashhour as a Director over her anti-Zionist, pro-Palestine stance — a view shared by many in our community. It’s time to boycott clubs that support genocide. #ShowRacismTheRedCard“
The apparent decision to side with a relatively small number of pro-Israel activists appears to have caused serious damage to the Dagenham teams reputation in the Muslim and Arab world.
Egyptian media has already began reporting on the story and other prominent Arab football pundits and social media personalities are condemning the club.
Moroccan-Spanish sports journalist Layla Hamed wrote on X: “Dagenham & Redbridge FC decided to cut ties with Salma Mashhour, following complaints by a few Zionist fans who didn’t like her pro-Palestine stance. Since when do clubs answer to apartheid supporters over basic human rights? Shame on every institution that bows to oppression.”
5Pillars has reached out to Dagenham & Redbridge FC for clarification on the sacking and whether they had an official pro-Israel stance on the Gaza genocide.
They have not responded so far.
At least 40 Palestinians were killed and 73 others were injured in the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours as a result of the ongoing Israeli genocide in the region, according to the enclaved strip medical sources.
They said that the Palestinian death toll from the Israeli onslaught since October 2023 has risen to 51,065 fatalities, with an additional 116,505 individuals sustaining injuries. The majority of the victims are women and children.
