Former Netherlands international Anwar El Ghazi is set to sign for Cardiff City on a free transfer.
El Ghazi, 29, is a free agent having had his contract terminated by Bundesliga club Mainz last autumn over a series of social media posts referencing the conflict in Gaza.
The former Everton and Aston Villa player won a wrongful dismissal case against the German club at the Labour Court of Mainz earlier this month.
El Ghazi underwent a medical with the Championship club on Wednesday and is expected to be confirmed as a Bluebirds player within 24 hours.
His impending move to the Welsh capital will bring to an end a turbulent time in the Dutchman's career following his troubles at Mainz.
The former Ajax and Lille winger took to social media to express his thanks for the labour court's verdict while also continuing his support for those affected by the ongoing assault by Israeli forces in Gaza.
"It is difficult for me to celebrate my recent legal victory when the apocalyptic assault on the defenceless civilians and children in Gaza continues as I type this message," El Ghazi posted on Instagram.
"My case is a victory for freedom of speech against the unjustified and illegal actions of FSV Mainz in attempting to terminate my contract for simply standing with humanity and what is right."
On July 12, the court ordered the Bundesliga club to hand over more than £1 million in unpaid wages and bonuses.
El Ghazi was thought to have another year left on his deal at Mainz, with a clause activated after the club avoided relegation to remain in the Bundesliga.
Sky Sports reported that El Ghazi is yet to be paid by Mainz and he is now expected to terminate his contract and seek damages for the money he is owed.
El Ghazi joined Villa on loan in 2018 before the deal was made permanent, scoring 20 goals in 102 league appearances for the Midlands club.
He was loaned to Everton in January 2022, making only two appearances before returning to the Netherlands to join PSV Eindhoven and then switching to Mainz last September, signing a two-year contract.
Due to his dispute with Mainz, El Ghazi played only four games last season and has not had a competitive outing since October 6, 2023.
El Ghazi ended his social media post saying that the turmoil he has endured palls in comparison to those suffering the horrors of war but that he is "ready to go again and play football at the highest level".
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Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
