Mainz updates: Charges against Sano dropped, El Ghazi terminates contract ahead of Cardiff move | OneFootball

Sixteen days after he was arrested in Japan in a case involving sexual assault, new FSV Mainz 05 signing Kaishu Sano has been released from custody. Charges against the 23-year-old have been dropped. Mainz announced on the club's social media feed Wednesday afternoon that the new summer addition would be integrated into full team training at the team's camp in Hopfgarten im Brixental soon.

Details about Sano's case over the last two weeks remained sketchy. There were unsubstantiated reports that Sano had confessed. Sano's name was attached to a public statement of apology released by the public prosecutors office expressing remorse for the victim. Contacted by the local "AZ Mainz" newspaper for comment, Japanese legal expert Julius Weitzdörfer of the University of Hagen interprets the statement as a mere formality.

According to Weitzdörfer, such statements are commonplace in Japanese society. Sano and two other reported assailants are expected to apologize to the alleged victim for the burden placed on them by the investigations. The so-called "apology" does not translate to admission of guilt. On the contrary, Sano's release and the cancellation of the charges affirm's the player's innocence.

Coincidentally, there was also fresh news to report on in another Mainz personnel matter involving legal issues on Wednesday afternoon. The lawyer representing Dutch-Moroccan attacker Anwar El Ghazi in an ongoing legal dispute with the Palatinate club over back-pay confirmed that El Ghazi had voluntarily terminated his Mainz contract. The 29-year-old has done so ahead of signing with another club.

The Nullfünfter had lodged an appeal against the verdict issued by a German labor court ordering Mainz to pay El Ghazi €1.7 million in back-wages after he was released by the club over a pro Palestinian social media post last autumn. The matter is now a moot point as El-Ghazi has found a new employer. The former Aston Villa and Everton professional is headed back to the Isle.

EFL Championship side Cardiff City will, according to multiple sources, sign him. El Ghazi is reportedly in Wales completing his medical. The Mainz contract and claim for back-pay must be dropped in order for the twice-capped Dutch international to sign his new deal. Confirmation of the Cardiff move is expected to come later today.