Liverpool and Everton hold a period of silence, players wear black armbands, but Israel and Palestine flags are BANNED as the Premier League pays its respects amid the tragic events in the Middle East
- Thousands of people have died amid the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine
- The Premier League is set to pay its respects to the tragic events this weekend
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Coming Up!’
Liverpool and Everton led the Premier League in paying its respects to the thousands of lives lost in the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine.
There is a full set of top flight fixtures over the next few days and the weekend’s action began at Anfield at lunchtime.
All players, managers and match officials of both sides wore black armbands and observed a period of silence ahead of kick off.
However, the top flight also announced that supporters would be banned from taking in or displaying Israeli and Palestinian flags inside stadiums in all fixtures.
With the conflict having begun and escalated over the past few weeks, the matches this weekend are the first chance the Premier League has had to pay its respects given the international break.
Liverpool and Everton led the Premier League in paying its respects to the thousands of lives lost in the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine this weekend
The Premier League announced various measures amid the tragic events in the Middle East
All players, managers and match officials are set to wear black armbands during their games
In a statement last week announcing their plans, the top flight 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.
‘We hope for peace, and our heartfelt sympathies are with the victims, their families and the communities impacted.
‘As a mark of respect for all those affected, Premier League players, managers and match officials will wear black armbands and observe a moment’s silence at the fixtures taking place from Saturday 21 to Monday 23 October.
‘The league will also make a donation to the British Red Cross to support the aid efforts helping those in urgent need.’
The EFL – who operates the Championship, League One, and League Two – followed the decision of the Premier League.
The Premier League’s guidance came after consultation with security officials and clubs and follows the FA prohibiting flags and replica kits that were not of the competing teams – England and Australia – during the recent international break.
The Premier League has also banned any Israeli or Palestinian flags at matches this weekend
The FA received criticism after opting against lighting up the Wembley arch in Israel’s colours
They also opted against lighting the Wembley arch in Israel’s colours, drawing criticism from many after doing so following terrorist attacks in France and Belgium as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
An Israel flag was later spotted in the crowd at the home of English football during England’s friendly against Australia, despite the police ban, with stewards approaching the supporter to take it away.
England and Italy players did observe a period of silence in the Three Lions’ second fixture of the international break, but boos were heard around some parts of Wembley during the moment of remembrance.
Protests have been held across parts of the country in both support of Israel and Palestine and the action to ban flags has been taken to prevent any conflict at matches.
Source: Read Full Article
