London (QNN)- Pro-Israel campaigning group UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has accused Moroccan World Cup team of breaching FIFA rules for raising the Palestine flag while celebrating their historic wins.
In a Monday statement, UKLFI said they wrote to FIFA Disciplinary Committee Chair Jorge Palacio accusing the North African country of breaching FIFA rules for “waving and holding large Palestinian flags to transmit a political message of support for Palestine.”
UKLFI has requested that Palacio “opens an immediate investigation and to pronounce provisional measures to prevent any repetition of such violations at the Semi-Final on Wednesday 14 December and at the Final of third place playoff next Saturday 17 December.”
UKLFI has also said that appropriate sanctions should follow.
Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UKLFI commented, “By not respecting the regulations, the Moroccan players and officials themselves violated the Disciplinary Code. Political actions can provoke disorder so it is important to ensure that these Regulations are enforced. We hope that FIFA will address this urgently to ensure that the forthcoming games are not marred by further political demonstrations.”
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.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions players raise the flag of Palestine as they celebrate their historic victory against Portugal 1-0 at the #FIFAWorldCup. 🇵🇸❤️🇲🇦🔥 #RaisePalestineFlag pic.twitter.com/BgkmPGXvr9
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 10, 2022
The flag of Palestine is a key element of Morocco's celebrations right now at #QatarWorldCup 🇲🇦🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/49mIfOpP8i
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 10, 2022
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's national team player Abdelhamid Sabiri wears the Palestinian flag as he celebrates Morocco's historic defeat of Portugal at #QatarWorldCup 🇵🇸🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/EqQmP4ADp8
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 10, 2022
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.
Morocco's national team players raise Palestinian flag while celebrating their victory over Spain at #FIFAWorldCup 🇵🇸🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/cjmLcamMHE
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 6, 2022
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.