19 October 2023 , 07:44
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The Premier League will advise clubs later this week to prohibit Israel and Palestine flags inside stadiums when games return this weekend.
The Premier League and EFL, who are still discussing what their position will be, confirmed last week that a moment’s silence will be held before this weekend’s round of matches as a mark of respect. It comes as the conflict in the Middle East continues following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 with thousands already killed.
The has been made after the Premier League consulted with safety organisations and Jewish groups, reports the Athletic. During the recent round of international fixtures, England hosted Australia and Italy and Wembley and the FA prohibited flags and replica kits that were not of the teams competing on the day.
The Premier League has issued similar guidance to clubs in the past when it comes to nations that are in conflict, which they hope will ease tensions among fans. Tottenham already have a similar policy on flags from nations in conflict or those that could be considered inflammatory.
The implementation of the Premier League policy will be down to individual clubs and their security teams. Mohamed Salah is among the most high profile figures to speak out on the war as his Liverpool team prepare for a Merseyside derby on Saturday lunchtime.
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He said in a video posted on Twitter : "The people of Gaza need food, water and medical supplies urgently. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop. Families are being torn apart. I am calling on the world leaders to come together to prevent further slaughter of innocent souls. Humanity must prevail."
Flags are set to be prohibited at Premier League matchesThe FA's decision not to allow Israeli flags or, more significantly, not light up the Wembley arch on Friday night greatly angered the Israel Football Association chief Moshe Zuares..
He said: "Those who are afraid to light up a stadium in memory of the murdered and for the sake of historical truth, for reasons that cannot be understood at all, and perhaps it is better not to even try, are in an even darker time than the one my country is currently in."
He went on to add: "When this happens by the FA of a nation that always knows how to be a moral lighthouse for the free world, it is (more) disappointing than ever. I tried to explain this to my colleagues in the English FA several times in the past days but they insist not to understand. Now they are the one who need to explain."