The Premier League has banned Israeli and Palestinian flags from matches this weekend.
Players, staff and officials will wear black armbands and a moment’s silence will be held at every ground, as English football pays its respects to victims of the Israeli-Hamas war. But the Premier League has told clubs that supporters are not permitted to bring flags into stadiums, in an effort to avoid potential incidents.
The decision follows consultancy with security experts and the clubs themselves, and is in line with the Football Association’s approach to the recent England internationals at Wembley. The English Football League will take the same stance.
Some Premier League stars have spoken out over the conflict. Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah called for the killing to stop and for immediate humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza, as supplies of water and food run out. He had already made what was described as a “significant” undisclosed donation, via his agent, to humanitarian organisation the Egyptian Red Crescent Society in support of the people of Gaza.
Tottenham’s Israeli international Manor Solomon posted on Instagram, claiming Hamas were “blaming Israel for killing their own people” after both Israel and Hamas issued rival claims about the bombing of a Gaza hospital feared to have killed at least 500.
European football's governing body has meanwhile announced that no Uefa competition matches will be played in Israel until further notice. Israel's national teams and club sides Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv, who are both competing in Europe, must find alternative venues outside the country to fulfil their Uefa fixtures.
And the FA will meanwhile review whether to continue lighting the Wembley arch as an act of tribute following criticism over its response to the conflict.
