PSG Fans Unfurl Huge “Free Palestine” Banner (image-twitter/Football__Tweet)
“War on the pitch, but peace in the world”, Paris Saint-German fans held huge banner read during the club’s match against Atletico Madrid. Though the team suffered a major blow on Wednesday night, the French club’s fans won a million hearts when they showcased their solidarity with the people of Gaza by unveiling a giant ‘Free Palestine’ banner before the kickoff of the Champions League game.
During the match, the fans unveiled yet another message that read, “Does a child’s life in Gaza mean less than another?”
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However, the club PSG had distanced themselves from the political statement displayed by their fans. The club has said that they had not been aware “of any plans to display such a message”.
“Paris St Germain recalls that the Parc des Princes is — and must remain — a place of communion around a common passion for soccer and firmly opposes any message of a political nature in its stadium,” the club added in a statement.
The fans displayed image featured a photo of Al Aqsa Mosque and the Lebanese flag, as Israel has launched fresh strikes on Lebanon, killing at least 40 in the country’s east on Wednesday.
The sports arena has always been a venue for protest. Fan chants, symbolic actions and banners not only sometimes serve as a way to express their support for the team, but often become a demonstration of political statements.
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Apart from fans, it comes from players on the football field as well. A Palestinian footballer Wissam Abu Ali who currently plays for Egypt’s Al Ahly Club goal celebration that resembled former Hamas chief and tall Palestinian leader Yahya Sinwar went viral on social media. After scoring the goal in the 30th minute, Abu Ali ran into the corner of the field, where he posed as being seated on a sofa which resembles the image of Yahya Sinwar, showing him seated on a sofa with a wide smile and one leg crossed.
