The AN FA boss involved in the decision not to light up Wembley Arch in the colors of the Israeli flag has previously called for a free Palestine, The Sun can reveal.
Deji Davies, chairman of the governing body’s Inclusion Advisory Committee, hit out when the U-21 Euros were to be held in the Jewish nation.
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Fans arrive at Wembley for Friday’s international friendly with Australia, but the iconic arch remains dark after calls to show support for Israel were rejected
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Deji Davies, chairman of the governing body’s Inclusion Advisory Committee, hit out when the U-21 Euros were to be held in the Jewish nation
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Does Deji Davies’ now-deleted tweet explain why Wembley refused to light up its iconic arch in Israel’s colors – as it has after other such terror attacks and clashes
His tweet from 2013 read: “Boycotting the European U21 tournament. It should not be held in Israel at all. I certainly won’t be watching #FreePalestine.”
Davies, a non-executive director at Brentford, deleted the tweet yesterday.
In a desperate bid to soften the blow, he said: “I removed a tweet from ten years ago because I don’t want to offend anyone at this awful time. I fully support the FA’s position on peace and unity and an end to the violence, death and suffering of Israelis and Palestinians.”
The FA consulted the inclusion committee before deciding on the landmark ahead of last night’s friendly with Australia. This happened despite the Arc de Triomphe being lit up in the colors of France after the 2015 Paris attacks and the red of Turkey after the atrocities the following year.
Instead, both sides wore black armbands and participated in a moment of silence before kick-off.
An FA spokeswoman insisted Davies’ views had “evolved and changed” since his original message was published.
But former Israeli Premier League ace Tal Ben Haim – who played for Chelsea, Manchester City and West Ham – called the FA’s decision “unfortunate”. He said: “To say I’m disappointed is an understatement.
“Massacre and rape of innocent party members, torture, beheading and burning of babies, small children, adults and pensioners. Broadcast it live on social networks and brag about it.
“More than 1,300 dead and 3,000 wounded in one bloody day with hundreds of hostages taken to Gaza.
“You have to wake up and realize that the support in Israel is the support of humanity around the world. Today it’s us, tomorrow it could be you.”
Meanwhile, the Jewish chairman of the FA’s Faith in Football group resigned in protest and said he would no longer work with English football chiefs.
In his resignation letter, Rabbi Alex Goldberg told FA chief executive Mark Bullingham he was “deeply disappointed”. Rabin, who has worked with the FA for 16 years, wrote: “It is imperative that our responses and actions, particularly on international platforms such as those at Wembley Stadium, are unequivocal in their support for the victims of such crimes.
“Your formula seems like a form of moral equivalence, which is just not appropriate this week.
“The decision not to light the arch was badly received in the community, where attacks on Jews in England have already tripled.
“Many see this statement as merely allowing the flags and displays of competing nations to eradicate Jewish symbols. It has increased complaints with the gravity of recent events – but also inadvertently disregards the safety and emotional well-being of Jewish worshipers who may be in attendance.”
The FA lit up the arches in yellow and blue Ukraine, in gold and green Brazil after Pele’s death, and in rainbow colors for the LGBTQ+ community as the World Cup was held in anti-gay Qatar.
Buildings lit up after the Hamas massacre — which left 17 British citizens dead — include Downing Street, plus the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Empire State Building in New York.
Rabbi Goldberg said he would “continue to serve the football family” through the Premier League and Football League clubs, and told the Jewish News that his decision came “with great regret in my heart”.
He said he had “strongly called for a review of the FA’s position on this matter” ahead of Tuesday’s Euro qualifier against Italy at Wembley.
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An illustration of what the Wembley Arch was supposed to look like in Israel’s colors after last week’s terrorist attack
Lord John Mann, the government’s anti-Semitism adviser, called the FA’s decision “smart”. The Premier League has also been criticized for not condemning the attacks.
CEO Richard Masters was accused of a lack of leadership in a letter from Israel Professional Football League president Erez Halfon. He wrote: “We are appalled, shocked and disappointed beyond words at the Premier League’s lack of ability to condemn these acts.
“Every human being, regardless of political affiliation, religion or belief, should feel alarmed by the monstrous acts of Hamas.”
In a brief statement, the league said it was saddened by the crisis – adding that it “strongly condemns the horrific and brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians”.
Players, managers and officials will wear black armbands and there will be a period of silence before the next round of the Premier League.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: newstars.edu.vn