FA's Israel-Gaza tribute met with criticism and support

6 months ago 93

Southgate: FA made 'decision with good intentions' on Israel-Gaza tribute

The Football Association has "tried to make the best decision with good intentions" over tributes to those who have died in Israel and Gaza, according to England manager Gareth Southgate.

The FA has chosen not to light up the Wembley arch with the colours of the Israeli flag.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer has called that decision " extremely disappointing".

More than 1,200 people have been killed in Israel in a series of attacks launched by Palestinian militant group Hamas last week.

Israel then launched air strikes on Gaza and has restricted access to food, water, fuel and medicine in the territory.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Gaza in those strikes, with 338,000 people displaced.

Uefa chief expresses 'profound sorrow' to Israel The Israel-Palestinian conflict explained What is happening in Israel and Gaza and why now?

The FA said in a statement before Southgate's comments earlier on Thursday: "We stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering."

It added that only "flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality for competing nations" would be allowed inside Wembley for the match against Australia and Tuesday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy.

The statement did not mention the Wembley arch.

Chair of FA faith group resigns

Meanwhile, Rabbi Alex Goldberg has resigned from his role as chair of the FA's Faith in Football group and expressed his "profound disappointment in the FA's decision not to have a specific tribute during the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy at Wembley Stadium" to Israeli victims of the Hamas attack last weekend.

In a letter to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham he said the "decision to not light up the arch has been received badly tonight within the community".

He added: "I strongly urge a reassessment of the FA's stance on this matter.

"Please consider aligning more closely with the global solidarity movement, and recognise the need for a nuanced, empathetic response that acknowledges the complexities of this conflict and unequivocally condemns the indefensible acts of violence and terror against civilians."

In response the FA said it was "sorry" to hear of his resignation, adding: "Although this is an informal group that is not part of the FA's governance structure, we are grateful for the support he has provided over the years."

The FA said: "It is also important to clarify that our decision not to allow Israeli or Palestine flags into Wembley Stadium was made at the direct request of senior members of the Jewish community."

BBC Sport reported on Wednesday that the governing body was unlikely to illuminate the arch in the colours of the Israeli flag because of fears of a backlash.

Senior officials at the FA were understood to be wary of creating a perception that they might be taking sides in the Middle East conflict.

Government minister Frazer criticised the FA's decision not light up the arch on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: "It is especially disappointing in light of the FA's bold stance on other terrorist attacks in the recent past. Words and actions matter. The Government is clear: we stand with Israel."

Last year the FA lit Wembley's arch in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukraine flag in solidarity with the country after it was invaded by Russia.

The arch was also illuminated in the colours of the French tricolour in 2015 in tribute to the people killed in terrorist attacks in Paris, and the colours of the Belgium flag adorned the arch in 2016 in respect of the victims of the Brussels bombings.

Deji Davies, chair of the FA's Inclusion Advisory Board, posted on X: "This is a time where we should be calling for peace and the end of death, violence and suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.

"The FA's decision to promote that message at Wembley this evening aligns with that."

Black armbands will be worn by players, managers and match officials in the English Football League this weekend, as well as during the next round of Premier League fixtures taking place from 21 to 23 October, when a period of silence will also be held.

Both the EFL and Premier League are making a donation to the British Red Cross to help those in urgent need.

The Women's Super League said it will "remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine" and requested clubs wear black armbands and observe a period of silence at matches this weekend.

Analysis

BBC sports editor Dan Roan

The fact England's opponents on Friday - Australia - are playing Palestine in an away fixture next month, and against Lebanon next March, was factored into the FA's decision over how to mark the events in Israel and Gaza - and to not light the Wembley arch in the colours of the Israel flag, the BBC has learned.

The Australian FA, like the FA, was understood to want a neutral expression of support for innocent victims in Israel and Gaza.

The FA took advice this week from experts including inclusion advisors and members of the Jewish community and felt black armbands and a period of silence was an appropriate course of action given concerns they could be perceived to be taking sides in what is a long running and complicated conflict if the arch was lit in the Israel flag.

Those concerns were heightened given the prospect of an Israeli ground invasion into Gaza.

It has been noted within the FA that there was no specific request from the government to light the arch when the DCMS "encouraged" sports to mark the events "appropriately" in a letter on Wednesday night, so the Lucy Frazer criticism last night has come as a surprise in some quarters.

Senior members of the Jewish community also advised the FA that a ban on Israel and Palestine flags was an appropriate move, according to an FA source.

While FA chiefs will have to reflect on the numerous times they have lit the arch in the past for other countries and causes, it has been pointed out that the arch has been illuminated to mark Holocaust Memorial Day as a show of support to the Jewish community.

The FA is said to be mindful of the fact that it has a multi-faith staff, and points out that its statement this week is consistent with the neutral stance taken by other British sports bodies.

However, there has also been criticism that the FA and other bodies could and should have acted quicker in the days immediately after the Hamas attack.