The FA has decided to honour the victims of the recent Hamas attacks in Israel during the friendly match between England and Australia at Wembley on Friday. The gesture comes after pressure from leading Jewish figures within the football community and the opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer.
FA responds to calls for action
The FA was urged by senior Jewish executives within the game to speak up or commemorate the loss of life in the Hamas attacks, which have killed over 1,000 people in Israel since last weekend. The FA usually does not confirm plans for tributes or memorials further than 24 hours out from a match, but the Guardian understands that a plan will be announced on Thursday before the Three Lions’ fixture.
The FA has not revealed the details of the tribute, but it is expected to involve a moment of silence, a display of solidarity, or a donation to a humanitarian cause. The FA has previously shown support for victims of other tragedies, such as the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 and the Grenfell Tower fire in 2018.
Starmer wants Wembley arch in Israel’s colours
The leader of the opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, said that he believed the Wembley arch should be illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag following the attacks by Hamas across the country. He said that he wanted to send a message that the UK stands with Israel and that lighting up the arch would be a manifestation of that support.
He told LBC radio: “I do think they should be on the arch because I think the message has to go out that we stand with Israel, the UK stands with Israel, and that is a manifestation of that support.”
The Wembley arch has been lit up in different colours before to mark various occasions, such as Pride Month, Remembrance Day, and St George’s Day. However, it is not clear if the FA will follow Starmer’s suggestion or if it has the authority to do so.
Football community divided over Israel issue
The FA’s decision to honour the Israel victims may not be welcomed by everyone in the football world, as some players and fans have expressed their support for Palestine amid the ongoing conflict. For example, Leicester City players Hamza Choudhury and Wesley Fofana held up a Palestinian flag after winning the FA Cup final last week, while Manchester United star Paul Pogba also posted a picture of himself with the same flag on social media.
Some fans have also displayed banners and flags in support of Palestine during matches, while others have booed or chanted against Israel. The issue has sparked heated debates and controversies among football supporters and pundits, with some accusing each other of being biased or insensitive.
The FA has not commented on these incidents, but it has previously warned players and clubs against making political statements or gestures on the pitch. The FA’s rules state that players must not display any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images on their clothing or equipment.
