1. Overview
Ali Mohamed Al Faz (born October 7, 1995) is a Nigerien professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Haifa and the Niger national team. His career has been marked by significant club transfers and international representation. Notably, his tenure at Beitar Jerusalem brought to light critical issues of racism and social tolerance within sports, an experience he navigated with the support of his club's ownership, highlighting the importance of standing against prejudice. Despite his Muslim-sounding name, Al Faz is a devout Christian, adding a layer of complexity to his public identity and interactions within the sport.
2. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Ali Mohamed Al Faz's early life and formative years in football laid the foundation for his professional career, beginning in Niger and continuing with a significant period of youth development in France before his initial professional club experiences in Israel.
2.1. Birth and Youth Career
Ali Mohamed Al Faz was born on October 7, 1995. He began his football journey at AS FAN in his home country, Niger, where he made his debut for the senior team at the young age of 17. In 2013, he moved to France to join the youth department of Bordeaux, a prominent French club. During his time there, he practiced intermittently with their reserve team, gaining exposure to European football development structures and preparing for a professional career.
2.2. Early Professional Club Stints
In the summer of 2015, Mohamed signed his first professional contract with Beitar Tel Aviv Ramla (now Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam). He made his debut for the club on September 7, 2015, in a 4-1 loss to Bnei Lod. His first goal for the club came on February 19, 2016, in a 3-2 victory, also against Bnei Lod.
On July 6, 2016, Mohamed signed a contract with Maccabi Netanya. He scored his first goal for Maccabi Netanya on March 17, 2017, in a decisive 4-0 win against Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem. He concluded that season with one goal and five assists, demonstrating his contributions as a midfielder. On January 22, 2018, he secured a new contract with Maccabi Netanya, extending his stay until the end of the 2019-2020 season. This new agreement included a release clause set at 2.50 M USD, indicating his rising value as a player.
3. Senior Club Career
Ali Mohamed Al Faz's senior club career has been characterized by significant transfers and notable periods with prominent Israeli clubs, including Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Haifa, where he encountered both triumphs and social challenges.
3.1. Beitar Jerusalem and Associated Controversies
On June 10, 2019, Mohamed signed a three-year contract with Beitar Jerusalem, with the transfer fee reported to be 1.70 M EUR. His signing immediately sparked controversy among a faction of the club's fan base, particularly a group known as La Familia. Despite Mohamed being a devout Christian, members of La Familia protested his arrival and demanded that he change his name because "Ali Mohamed" sounded Muslim. This incident drew significant attention to issues of religious tolerance and racism in Israeli football.
The situation escalated in November when Mohamed was subjected to racist abuse from his own fans during an open training session. This act of prejudice was widely condemned. In a strong show of support for Mohamed, the club's owner, Moshe Hogeg, publicly denounced the racist behavior. Hogeg emphasized that the club would pursue legal action against La Familia and any fans found to have engaged in racist abuse towards the player. This firm stance by the club owner highlighted a commitment to fighting racism and promoting inclusivity within the sport, directly confronting the discriminatory actions of a segment of their own supporters.
3.2. Maccabi Haifa
Following his time with Beitar Jerusalem, Ali Mohamed joined Maccabi Haifa. His tenure at Maccabi Haifa proved to be highly successful, marking a period of significant achievements and contributions to the team's success. As a key midfielder, he played an integral role in the club's domestic dominance. His time with Maccabi Haifa resulted in multiple major titles, solidifying his status as an important player in the Israeli Premier League.
4. International Career
Ali Mohamed Al Faz has been a consistent presence for the Niger national football team. He made his debut for the national squad on September 6, 2013, in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Burkina Faso. The match, played at home, resulted in a 0-1 loss for Niger. Since his debut, he has continued to represent his country in various international qualifiers and matches, contributing to the team's efforts on the global stage.
5. Personal Life
Ali Mohamed Al Faz's personal life reflects a unique blend of cultural and religious identity. Despite his name, "Ali Mohamed," which typically indicates a Muslim origin and was the faith of his late father, Al Faz has publicly stated that he is a devout Christian, adhering to his mother's faith. This aspect of his identity became particularly relevant during his time at Beitar Jerusalem, given the controversy surrounding his name. In August 2022, he was granted a year-long Israeli residency status, further integrating him into Israeli society beyond his professional football career.
6. Honours
Ali Mohamed Al Faz has achieved several collective titles throughout his professional club career:
Maccabi Netanya
- Liga Leumit: 2016-17
Beitar Jerusalem
- Toto Cup: 2019-20
Maccabi Haifa
- Israeli Premier League: 2021-22, 2022-23
- Israel Toto Cup (Ligat Ha'Al): 2021-22
- Israel Super Cup: 2021, 2023