MENA Sports Wrap: Pro-Palestine solidarity in football over Gaza War

The Gaza war cast a dark shadow over the world of sports this week. The Palestinian football team cancelled a tour in Malaysia and players flew back home, many with family affected by air strikes on the densely-populated enclave.

There has been an outpouring of support across the world for the people of Gaza, who are now under a complete siege and relentless bombing with no way out and no entry for essential goods.

Fans and players in the Arab world have shown solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, now under the tightest siege in years with food, water, and electricity to the enclave cut off.

This week MENA Sports Wrap focuses on those affected by the siege on Gaza and how in many parts of the world people have put aside their differences - even in football - to unite for Palestine.

Palestinian team withdraws from Malaysia tournament

The Palestinian national team has been forced to withdraw from a tournament in Malaysia, following Israel’s brutal war on Gaza that has now entered its seventh day, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed earlier this week.

Firas Abu Hilal, the Secretary-General of the Palestinian Football Association told Reuters that the team is unable to travel to Southeast Asian country "because of the events and circumstances that the Palestinian territories are going through."

The team was due to play in the Merdeka Cup friendly tournament in the capital Kuala Lumpur, but the opening match against Tajikistan slated for Friday has now been cancelled due to current circumstances.

Israel has launched an indiscriminate and unprecedented series of air strikes against the besieged Gaza enclave, following a cross-border attack carried out by Hamas on Saturday.

Israel’s assault has killed at least 1, 537 Palestinians, many of whom are women and children. Over 6,000 people are injured, while significant infrastructure has been destroyed in the Gaza Strip. The initial Hamas assault is believed to have killed 1,300 Israelis.

Gaza is also under threat from food, fuel and water shortages as Israel vowed to impose a full siege on the enclave, until Israelis kidnapped by Hamas are returned.

The Merdeka Cup, which runs until October 17, will now feature only three teams with Tajikistan, who will get a bye to the final, joined by Malaysia and India.

Next month, the Palestinian team is also due to play against Lebanon and Australia respectively in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Arab football world in solidarity with Gaza

Egyptian football club Al-Ahly, one of the most popular Arab and African teams, has expressed its solidarity with Gaza, which has been under heavy Israeli bombardment since Saturday.

The club posted an official statement on social media, which read: "Based on our country’s position in supporting the Palestinian cause, the club’s board of directors - headed by the captain Mahmoud Elkhatib - confirms  its total solidarity with our Palestinian brothers in their fight for their legitimate rights and their precious country."

"[The board of directors] also prays that God Almighty grants the [Palestinian] martyrs mercy, as well as bless those injured with a speedy recovery."

Al-Ahly, largely associated with the Egyptian working class, has a history of support for Egyptian opposition parties. Their fans participated in anti-government demonstrations in 2011 which ousted then-President Hosni Mubarak.

الأهلي يعلن تضامنه مع الأشقاء في فلسطين 🇵🇸 🦅 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/DELgpK7Q6K

— ‏النادي الأهلي (@AlAhly) October 11, 2023

A crackdown was carried out against Ultras Ahlawy - as well as other "Ultras" fan groups - by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in 2013. They were outlawed and designated as a terrorist organisation a few years later.

Egypt has had diplomatic ties with Israel since 1979 following a peace treaty, but much of its population has continued to express solidarity with Palestinians over the decades.

Another Egyptian football figure, Arsenal defender Mohamed Elneny, voiced his support for Gaza by changing his social media profile pictures to that of the Palestinian flag, with the Al-Aqsa Mosque pictured in the background.

Other Arab footballers have carried out similar expressions of solidarity.

Riyad Mahrez, who plays for Saudi club Al-Ahli, posted an image of the Dome of the Rock captioned with the Quranic verse "Unquestionably, the help of Allah is here," followed by a series of prayer emojis and the Palestinian flag.

The Algerian midfielder has expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause on several occasions.

Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais took to the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, to express his support for the Palestinian people.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Nabil Fekir (@nabilfekir)

Al-Owais, who plays for Al-Hilal, said: "May God grant them victory and strengthen their resolve," followed by an image of the Palestinian national flag.

Another high-profile player, French-Algerian Nabil Fekir, proclaimed his support for Gaza in an Instagram post which read: "Support to the Palestinian people, to our brothers and sisters who have been subject to apartheid for a very long time. May justice and peace return."

English football to show support for Israeli and Palestinians

The Football Association (FA) has said that Wembley Stadium will commemorate the victims of Israel's war on Gaza.

The English FA published the statement 12 October announcing that England and Australia players would wear black armbands for Friday's game to commemorate those who have died from both sides. 

A period of silence will also be held before kick-off and supporters will be banned from entering Wembley with Israeli and Palestinian flags, the FA indicated.

The English Premier League said it would observe a moment's silence and players, managers and match officials will wear black armbands during fixtures between 21-23 October, as a "mark of respect for all those affected" amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Wembley remembers the victims of the conflict in Israel and Palestine.

— The FA (@FA) October 12, 2023

In the statement, FA wrote: "Following discussions with partners and external stakeholders, we will only permit flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality for the competing nations inside Wembley Stadium for the upcoming matches against Australia [13 Oct] and Italy [17 Oct].” 

The FA’s flag restrictions follows a recent announcement by UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman that waving Palestinian flags may become a criminal offense.

The FA has faced criticism, mainly by pro-Israel supporters, who claim they have been slow to take action given recent events. 

The Telegraph Sport reported that the delay led to direct calls from the British government to show solidarity with Israel by displaying the national flag after the killing of 1,300 people by Hamas fighters. 

Downing Street was recently illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag, which was criticised as hypocritical given the ongoing bombardment of Gaza thousands of civilians killed there and many more likely to die.  

Lord Triesman, a former FA ex-chairman, accused sport leaders of "pandering to wealthy Middle East states" in what appeared to be a pro-Israel comment directed against Gulf countries which have invested in UK football. 

In an interview with The Telegraph Sport, Lord Triesman said: "There has been an abject willingness to take any action which might upset the wealthy Middle East states which now wield such power in football finances."

The New Arab has reached out to FIFA for comment.

It said: "The Premier League is shocked and saddened by the escalating crisis in Israel and Gaza, and strongly condemns the horrific and brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians."

"The League will also make a donation to the British Red Cross to support the aid efforts helping those in urgent need," it added.