Dagenham and Redbridge apologise to director dismissed after Israel-Gaza posts
Dagenham and Redbridge have apologised for 'any harm caused' to former director Salma Mashhour after she was dismissed following backlash to her social media posts about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Mashhour, a social media influencer, was removed from her position as director of development and engagement three days after her appointment as part of an ownership venture with Egyptian YouTuber Marwan Serry that aimed to grow the National League club's Arabic fanbase.
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In a now-deleted social media post from October 30 2023, Mashhour wrote: 'Occupation creates resistance, Israel created Hamas and self-defense is not terrorism.' She told The Athletic via email that her posts were 'never an endorsement of any form of violence'.
In a statement on Friday, Dagenham said Mashhour's dismissal was 'in no way an acknowledgment' that she 'supports messages of hate and division'.
'Whilst we continue to stand against racism and discrimination in all forms, the club recognises the right of individuals, in their personal capacity, to express political opinions,' the statement read. 'We regret, and apologise for, any harm which may have been caused to Dr. Mashhour as a consequence of statements attributable to, or associated with, the club and the club's decision to remove her.
'The decision to remove Dr. Mashhour in no way is an acknowledgment that Dr. Mashhour supports messages of hate and division and statements attributable to, or associated with, the club that could be taken to imply Dr Salma supports terrorism or engaged in racist or discriminatory behaviour are not accurate and do not reflect the club's position in relation to Dr Salma.'
Club Statement: Dr. Salma Mashhour pic.twitter.com/uAfbuOOsCn
— Dagenham & Redbridge (@Dag_RedFC) April 25, 2025
In a further seven-minute video, first reported by the British website Jewish News and which has been seen by The Athletic, Mashhour described the Israeli state as 'illegal' and questioned whether the October 7 attack on Israel came at 'just the right time to give Israelis a common enemy' following protests internally against the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A petition calling for Mashhour and Serry's removal was set up last week, as was a counter petition, and social media grew abusive in both directions.
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Mashhour was dismissed last Thursday and Serry announced he had withdrawn from the Dagenham ownership on Saturday.
The Dagenham statement continued: 'To our supporters: we hear your concerns and are committed to learning from this moment. We are a club that prides itself on inclusivity, accountability, and representing a broad and diverse community. As a sporting organisation, we hold no political or geopolitical position; our focus is on fostering inclusivity through the game we love.'
Dagenham are 21st in the National League and return to action against Altrincham on Saturday.
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