The FA ‘will not punish fans, players or clubs who display Israel or Palestine flags in final games’

The FA ‘will not punish fans, players or clubs who display Israel or Palestine flags in the final league matches of the season’ after Leicester City duo Hamza Choudhury and Wesley Fofana paraded Palestinian flag at Wembley 

  • Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury and Wesley Fofana held a Palestine flag last week
  • The duo paraded the flag across Wembley after winning Saturday’s FA Cup final 
  • The FA will not punish players, fans or clubs for displaying flags, say reports 
  • Fans are set to return to stadia next week for the final Premier League matches 

No Premier League players will be punished for displaying flags of the Israel or Palestine during the final week of the season, according to reports. 

Israel and Palestine have been involved in horrific clashes over the last couple of weeks, with violence breaking out between Israeli police and protestors. 

Leicester City duo Hamza Choudhury and Wesley Fofana held up a Palestinian flag after their side clinched the FA Cup by beating Chelsea on Sunday, while the former had the flag draped around his back when collecting his cup final medal. 

The FA will not punish players, fans or clubs who display Israel or Palestine flags in games

Leicester's Hamza Choudhury and Wesley Fofana held up a Palestine flag after the FA Cup final

Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury and Wesley Fofana held up a Palestine flag after the FA Cup final

And according to The Athletic, the Football Association will not punish players clubs or fans attending Premier League matches next week for displaying the flag of a different country. 

Supporters will return to football grounds on Monday after the UK moved into step three of their roadmap out of lockdown, which permits reduced capacity sporting events.  

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine escalated after Hamas aimed missile towards Jerusalem, with Israeli forces responding by raining down on the Gaza Strip with air strikes of their own. A week of escalating violence is the worst seen between Palestine and Israel since 2014.

Both sides have been urged to ease tensions by nation around the world as thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee from their homes after a week of sustained conflict.

Choudhury (above) also had the flag draped over his shoulders when he collected his medal

Choudhury (above) also had the flag draped over his shoulders when he collected his medal

Israel and Palestine have been involved in horrific clashes over the last couple of weeks

Israel and Palestine have been involved in horrific clashes over the last couple of weeks

The death toll from a week of fighting stood at 211 on Monday, with 201 dead on the Palestinian side according to Gaza’s health authority, including 58 children and 34 women.

Ten deaths have been confirmed in Israel, including one child. More than 1,200 Palestinians have been injured so far, along with 302 Israelis.

The row has spilled over to the United Kingdom recently, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson coming out to condemn anti-semitic abuse in north London last week during a Palestinian protest.

A number of sports stars have posted messages of support with Palestine with Arsenal’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny tweeting on Monday: ‘My heart and my soul and my support for you Palestine,’ followed by a picture of the Palestine flag and a peace emoji.

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny posted a tweet of support for Palestine last week

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny posted a tweet of support for Palestine last week

Elneny’s post resulted in a backlash from Arsenal’s Jewish supporters because his tweet also included an image with the text ‘Palestine Lives Matter,’ which shows an outline of Israel with pro-Palestine pictures within. 

According to the Jewish Chronicle, the Gunners’ sponsor and coffee group Lavazza have since contacted the club to register their concern about them being linked with Elneny’s message, amid rising tensions in the Middle East. 

The coffee company said the post did not align with their own values, while Arsenal defended Elneny by stating he had the right to defend his own platforms.

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