THE FA has been branded a national disgrace for refusing to light up Wembley’s arch to honour victims of the Israel terror attacks.
The row erupted as a weeping dad told how his eight-year-old daughter was murdered by Hamas fiends after she was snatched from a sleepover.
PA:Empics SportThe FA has been branded a national disgrace for refusing to light up Wembley’s arch to honour victims of the Israel terror attacks[/caption]
The row erupted as a weeping dad told how his eight-year-old daughter Emily, above, was murdered by Hamas fiends after she was snatched from a sleepover
Thomas Hand said he knew the ‘best possibility’ was that his daughter Emily had been killedCNN
Emily Hand’s dad Thomas said it was a “blessing” she died rather than be taken hostage.
Politicians and fans want the FA to light the arch in blue and white at tonight’s friendly with Australia.
Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “I am extremely disappointed by the FA’s decision and have made my views clear. Words and actions matter. The Government is clear: We stand with Israel.”
FA bosses have even banned Israel shirts or flags at the match.
Ex-Justice Minister Lord Wolfson added: “This decision is wrong. The FA lit Wembley arch for those murdered by terrorists while dancing in a Paris nightclub in 2015.
“But not for those murdered, raped, and taken hostage while dancing at a music festival in Israel.
“Perhaps this ‘devastating event’ wasn’t devastating enough?”
Players will wear black armbands and there will be a period of silence before tonight’s friendly against Australia at the national stadium.
But many wanted England’s football chiefs to go further — accusing them of cowardice for not paying tribute to those slaughtered by Hamas terrorists by lighting the 436ft-high steel arch in Israel’s blue and white.
The landmark has previously displayed the colours of France, Turkey and Ukraine following atrocities in those nations.
It also beamed out Brazil’s colours after the death of the legendary Pelé — and was lit up in rainbow colours last year as a show of support to the LGBTQ+ community while the World Cup was held in anti-gay Qatar.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay was among the voices calling for the arch to shine blue and white tonight. He said: “We should make clear our strong support for Israel. We stand with Israel.
“We’ve seen that with Parliament, we’ve seen it with No 10, I think it would be fitting to show that with Wembley as well.”
And Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “I think the message has to go out that we stand with Israel, the UK stands with Israel, and that is a manifestation of that support.”
The FA was also blasted for banning fans from wearing Israel kits or taking in Israeli flags as a show of support to the 1,300 victims of the ongoing conflict.
It said it will “only permit representations of nationality for the competing nations inside Wembley”: England and Australia.
© amanda roseFor Alzheimer’s.. Arch is lit blue, the Alzheimer’s Society’s colour[/caption]
©Karwai TangFor Covid… Shining on the anniversary of the first lockdown[/caption]
PAFor LGBTQ+… Arch resembles a rainbow, the symbol of Pride[/caption]
The same rules will apply for Tuesday’s friendly against Italy.
There are fears it could lead to scuffles as security staff will be expected to confiscate flags and remove tops conflicting with the rule. Wembley’s 1,033ft-long steel arch is the longest single-span roof structure in the world and is visible for miles across London.
The FA has previously acknowledged its status by lighting it red, white and blue after the 2015 terror attacks in Paris, and in red for Turkey the following year.
And it reflected the widespread support in the UK for Ukraine after Russia invaded last year by illuminating it blue and yellow.
Politician and broadcaster Nigel Farage also highlighted the FA lighting up the arch in the past and said: “But they refuse to put up the Israel flag despite what Hamas have done there. This is pure cowardice. You can take the knee all you like but this makes you total and utter hypocrites.”
Former FA chairman David Bernstein said: “I am shocked, hurt, but not totally surprised that the FA has not yet had time to consider its reaction to the murder of nearly 1,000 people.
“I note how speedily it has reacted to other situations and I would welcome an explanation as to why the tragedy in Israel should be perceived so differently.
“This is in stark contrast to our government, and particularly the Prime Minister, who has found time to respond appropriately to this horrendous situation.”
And Lord Triesman, who was at the helm from 2008 to 2010, said: “There has been an abject unwillingness to take any action which might upset the wealthy Middle East states which now wield such power in football finances.
“And what might upset them is what is unwelcome to the militias they support. It was the same indulgence of regimes like Vladimir Putin’s. Anything can be tolerated so long as football can still hear the rattle of the cash tills.”
Tory MP Neil O’Brien described the decision as “pathetic” and Lord Ian Austin said it was a “complete disgrace”.
Greater Manchester mayoral candidate Nick Buckley added: “Cowards. Hypocrites. Woke fools.”
Ordinary fans also slammed the FA. One, called Dave, said: “So not only are the FA refusing to light up the Wembley Arch in Israeli colours, they are also going to confiscate any Israeli flags from supporters for the England/Australia match. Seriously? They are a national disgrace.”
In its statement yesterday on flags and shirts ban, the FA said: “On Friday evening, we will remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine.”
It added that it would be promoting, within the stadium, the British Red Cross’s emergency appeal.
ReutersFor Pele… Marking death of legendary Brazilian footballer[/caption]
ColorsportFor France… Solidarity after 2015 Paris terror attacks[/caption]
For Turkey… Arch in red following 2016 atrocities in Turkey Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
