From Pitch To Stadiums: How Sports Is Rallying For Palestine
The flames of Israel’s war on Palestine have spread to every corner, including the world of sports.
In the past few days, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX performance has dominated headlines. And here’s why: as the opening bars of his song echoed through the New Orleans Superdome on Sunday, Zul-Qarnain Nantambu made a bold statement. With millions watching, the New Orleans-based artist pulled out a joint Palestinian and Sudanese flag he had discreetly tucked inside his clothes.
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As 400 dancers moved in perfect sync with Lamar’s music, Nantambu sprinted across the stage, holding the flag high, adorned with “Palestine” and “Sudan” in bold black ink.
However, roughly 30 seconds later, security wrestled him to the ground. Notably, President Donald Trump, who announced the takeover of Gaza last week, also attended the game on Sunday. While speaking to The Intercept, Nantambu had said, “What’s going on in these places are inhumane. The civil war in Sudan, the oppression and the war and the tyranny that’s going on in Gaza, is inhumane. And these people are connected with us all as humans, and especially with me in faith.”
This want just one instance out of many. Recently, the Ultras of Scottish Football team Celtic had called for Israel to be banned from international competition during a crunch Champions League tie with Bayern Munich. Fans in the stadium unfurled large banner reading “Show Israel the Red Card” during halftime in a major protest led by the Green Brigades support group. Moreover, hundreds of supports were also seen held up with smaller red leaflets carrying the message as follows: “At the start of the second half, please Show ‘Israel’ the Red Card to send a direct message to Uefa and Fifa to apply their respective statutes and suspend ‘Israel’ from competition”.
“By doing so, you will not only be doing the right thing but you will be joining football fans of conscience and courage around the world who will be adopting the same message.”
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NBA star Kyrie Irving had also made a bold statement recently by wearing a chain with the Palestine flag. He had earlier expressed his solidarity in 2023 by wearing a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh during a post-game press conference.
From international tournaments to local games, unwavering support for Palestine remains visible. Kerala’s own Koyappa tournament—a unique seven-a-side football competition, was no exception. Fans held up a giant banner reading, ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.
Many clubs, athletes, and renowned players have also stepped forward to express their solidarity. Through bold protests, symbolic gestures, or public statements, players, teams, and supporters had made it clear: Palestine’s struggle is not ignored. Even after ceasefire, stadium packed with passionate fan continues to resonate the call for justice despite Even after ceasefire, stadium packed with passionate fan continues to resonate the call for justice despite the constant struggle of silencing by the authorities.
