German daily newspaper Die Tageszeitung has accused Morocco’s national football team of “anti-Semitism” for raising the Palestinian flag while celebrating their victory against Spain and Portugal at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
In an article published on Saturday, the Berlin-based newspaper called Morocco’s the Atlas Lions team “anti-Semitic,” saying “the fact that an anti-Semitic touch is added to joy makes things difficult,” referring to the team players raising the flag of Palestine twice as they were celebrating their victory against Spain and Portugal.
The newspaper wrote, “The Moroccan success is overlaid with a lot of Palestine symbolism. The Moroccan team held up a Palestine flag after defeating Spain.”
“Tunisian fans did something similar in the preliminary round. And some Qataris are now wearing a “pro-Palestine” armband in response to the Europeans’ “One Love” armband, which they see as an impertinence.”
Palestine took centre stage as Morocco celebrated its victory in the World Cup quarter-finals against Portugal with the Palestinian flag unfurled on the pitch on Saturday.
Not long after the clearing the pitch, midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri posted a photo on Instagram of himself with the Palestinian flag tied around his shoulders accompanied by a one-word caption: “Freedom”. Later he gave interviews to broadcasters at the game still wearing the flag.
Morocco as well has made Palestine a priority even before Saturday’s win, unveiling the Palestinian flag on the pitch post-game after their sensational penalty shoot-out win against Spain on Tuesday.
The Palestine flag has become a ubiquitous symbol throughout the world’s most celebrated sporting event despite Palestine not qualifying for the tournament.
Arab and international football fans have decided to express solidarity for Palestine at the event. They have been displaying Palestinian flags, wearing Palestinian armbands, singing and dancing for Palestine, refusing to be interviewed by Israeli channels, or simply leaning into the camera of Israeli broadcasts and chanting for Palestine.
