Bundesliga club Darmstadt said on Wednesday they have sacked German-Tunisian midfielder Anis Ben-Hatira over his work with a controversial Islamic aid organisation.

Düsseldorf-based Ansaar International is reportedly under surveillance by domestic intelligence services for alleged links to Germany’s ultra-orthodox Muslim Salafist community.

The 28-year-old Tunisian international – who has hit out at what he called a “slander campaign” – only joined bottom side Darmstadt in August, netting one German league goal and playing in 11 league games.

But following a meeting with the player, Darmstadt terminated Ben-Hatira’s contract with immediate effect over his humanitarian work with Ansaar.

The club stressed they did not wish to comment further as they battle to avoid relegation from Germany’s top flight.

“Darmstadt SV 98 views the private humanitarian aid Ben-Hatira offers, through the organisation he works with, as wrong,” said Darmstadt’s president Ruediger Fritsch.

“After analysing the whole situation, it no longer makes sense for both parties to keep working together.

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