At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the fans repeatedly expressed solidarity with Palestine. How are these to be classified – and will there be sanctions?
The “One Love” captain’s armband was one of the dominant themes in the first week of the World Cup. Seven European teams wanted to show up in Qatar with the brightly colored piece of fabric to set an example for diversity and against discrimination. After a ban and the threat of sanctions from FIFA, the associations backed down.
Off the field, too, political messages have been a big topic at the World Cup. Qatari security forces repeatedly prosecuted fans or journalists who showed up with freedom symbols at games.
Many Arab fans with green and white armbands
In the last few days, more and more Arab football fans have presented themselves in the vicinity of the games with a green and white armband. Shown on it: the flag of Palestine. Numerous supporters of Qatar could be seen on social networks wearing the bracelets in the host’s second group game against Senegal (1: 3).
“Pro Palestine” support also in the grandstand
The armbands were also worn in the grandstand, observed Sportschau reporter Philipp Sohmer. He also confirmed that there were pre-tournament considerations by Qatar and the Arab countries for their teams to line up with the ‘Pro-Palestine’ armband – in response to European aspirations with the ‘One Love’ armband.
No sanctions known so far
A project that was not implemented due to the FIFA ban – neither by the Europeans nor by the Arabs. Instead, there are the “Pro Palestine” statements in the stands. Be it with the bandage – or with “Free Palestine” flags. Solidarity with Palestine was also repeated at games played by Arab and North African teams such as Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. So far, nothing is known of sanctions imposed by the security forces, as European supporters have experienced.
For ARD correspondent Ramin Sina, the “Pro Palestine” statements are a “clear reaction to the ‘One Love’ pads. Here it is shown: ‘If you use the World Cup for political messages, then we can do that too‘” He said in an interview with the sports show.
ARD correspondent: “One Love”-bind one “clear provocation”
The discussions in Europe about the “One Love” armband and the wearing of the same by well-known personalities such as the German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser have been registered in the Qatari population, says Sina: “That didn’t go over well. For many, it is a provocation that political messages are sent in their country – and the reaction to this is now being made.”
Nancy Faeser sits with the One Love armband next to Gianni Infantino.
Direct flights to Qatar for Israelis and Palestinians
Solidarity for Palestine is in the Arab world “a big issue for many people“. The governments of Qatar and Israel had come closer at the beginning of November. Shortly before the World Cup, the hosts allowed special direct flights from Tel Aviv to Doha for the first time. Palestinian football fans should also benefit from this.
“With this agreement, Israelis and Palestinians can fly together and enjoy football together” FIFA President Gianni Infantino had said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the flights a “historic step“, the “strengthen relationships between people” will.
“The flights are something special”
However, despite these delicate approaches, there is no end in sight to the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine. “Qatar sees itself as a mediating state. They maintain diplomatic relations with many countries and organizations“Sina analyzed. One shouldn’t overestimate that, albeit “the flights are something special”.
“Solidarity with Palestine runs through the Arab world”
That is why Sina believes there will continue to be pro-Palestinian proclamations at the World Cup around the games. The ARD correspondent does not expect a strong increase – for example due to the copycat effect and the social networks.
In his opinion, however, there are many supporters of the campaign. “Solidarity with Palestine runs through the Arab world, there are enough fans who would wear the bandage. It’s also a bit about showing that not only Western Europe is allowed to make such statements.”
Does Qatar’s captain wear a pro-Palestine armband?
However, Sina does not believe that the solidarity will also reach the field. Even if there are rumors on social networks that Qatar’s captain Hassan Al-Haydos wants to wear the Palestinian flag as a captain’s armband in the last group game against the Netherlands (November 29, 2022, 4 p.m., live on Erste and in the Sportschau stream).
“FIFA bans political statements“, said Zina: “Of course, that goes both ways. You can’t sanction one and not the other. Double standards – that would surprise me.”
World Cup hosts Qatar historically early out
Sanctions shouldn’t hit Qatar too hard. After all, the Gulf state was eliminated early – earlier than any other World Cup host since the group phase was introduced.