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LONDON — England’s Football Association (FA) has resisted appeals to light up London’s Wembley Stadium in the blue and white colors of Israel’s flag to commemorate those killed in the ongoing attacks by Hamas.
In a move that has angered some U.K. ministers, English football’s governing body said instead that players in an England versus Australia match Friday will wear black armbands to mourn all those who have died across the region.
“Our thoughts are with them, and their families and friends in England and Australia and with all the communities who are affected by this ongoing conflict,” the association said in a statement. “We stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering.”
In its press release announcing the move, the FA also announced it will only permit spectators to wear kit and wave flags of the competing teams, meaning Israeli and Palestinian flags will be banned.
The decision comes despite calls from some British politicians for the FA to show solidarity with Israel.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay told Sky News Thursday morning that the arch over the stadium should be lit up. “We stand with Israel, and I think we’ve seen that with parliament, we’ve seen it with Number 10,” he said, referring to two other buildings that have opted to display Israeli colors. “I think it would be fitting to show that with Wembley as well.”
Health Minister Neil O’Brien called the FA’s choice “pathetic.” Government whip Amanda Holloway posted on X, formerly Twitter: “When terrorist attacks happened in France, Ukraine & Turkey the FA did the right thing,” referring to the stadium previously adopting national colors for attacked nations. “This should not be controversial or political.”
Conservative MP Heather Wheeler described the FA’s move as “utterly the wrong decision.”
The row comes as the death toll from the conflict continues to rise. Gaza’s health ministry reported Thursday that Israeli strikes had killed over 1,400 Palestinians since Saturday, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack into Israel. At least 1,300 Israelis have been killed and thousands more injured, according to figures from Israel’s public broadcaster Kan.
