Moment of silence planned for Israel-Palestine victims at England vs Australia - but flags banned

FA announce plans to address conflict amid fear of backlash from both communities
Dom Smith13 October 2023

Flags and shirts showing support for Israel or the Palestinians will not be allowed at Wembley on Friday.

There will be a period of silence before England play Australia, and both sets of players will wear black armbands.

The FA will not illuminate the Wembley arch in the colours of the Israeli flag — a decision which has provoked widespread criticism — for fear of being seen as taking sides in the conflict.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) wrote on Wednesday to the governing bodies of major UK sports, urging them to “mark appropriately” the atrocities.

Lucy Frazer, the Secretary of State at the DCMS, said she was “extremely disappointed” at the FA’s failure to offer a show of support specifically for Israel.

The FA will apply the same rules for Tuesday’s Euro 24 qualifier against Italy at Wembley.

The FA will promote inside Wembley the British Red Cross emergency appeal to support the people affected by the humanitarian crisis.

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