Premier League backlash as Israel football chief 'shocked and disappointed' by reaction after Hamas attacks

The Premier League finally responded to attacks on Israel by Hamas on Thursday

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 13/10/2023

- 10:49

The Premier League have been slammed after waiting five days to release a statement

Premier League chief Richard Masters has been criticised by his Israeli counterpart for failing to immediately condemn Hamas' attacks on Israel over the weekend.

The terrorist group attacked the country on Saturday, with over 1,200 deaths reported in the time since.


The Premier League finally reacted with a statement on Thursday, saying: "As a mark of respect for all those affected, Premier League players, managers and match officials will wear black armbands and observe a moment’s silence at the fixtures taking place from Saturday 21 to Monday 23 October.

"The Premier League is shocked and saddened by the escalating crisis in Israel and Gaza, and strongly condemns the horrific and brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians," it said and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

Richard Masters

Richard Masters has been slammed for the Premier League's reaction to Hamas attacks on Israel

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"The League will also make a donation to the British Red Cross to support the aid efforts helping those in urgent need."

Yet Erez Halfon, chairman of the Israeli Professional Football Leagues, has now taken aim at Masters and the Premier League for their reaction.

In a letter seen by the Daily Mail, he wrote: "We are amazed, shocked and disappointed beyond words at the Premier League's lack of ability to condemn these acts.

"This is not about a conflict between two people.

"This is about leadership and the world where we want to live and raise our children.

"Your initial message was ambiguous, and we cannot allow any misinterpretation.

"We would greatly appreciate the chance to discuss this matter with you at your earliest convenience, particularly about its impact on the global fans of the English Premier League."

Halfon also said the top flight's reaction was in stark contrast to those of the world leaders around the world.

"We would like to stress that this is Israel's 9/11, no less," he said.

"Many countries have expressed their unequivocal support of the State of Israel.

"The greatest monuments in the world were lit up in blue and white or with the Israeli flag, including The White House, The Eiffel Tower, The Arch of Titus, 10 Downing St and others.

"In a joint statement by President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom, and President Biden of the United States, they 'expressed their steadfast and united support to the State of Israel, and their unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism.

"Richard - the words 'unequivocal condemnation', 'appalling acts of terrorism', 'massacre', 'slaughter', and 'bloodshed' have all been written in those statements.

"Please think about the level at which something needs to be undeniably true for a diplomatic statement of this magnitude to be issued.

"The Premier League must prevent radical Islamist ideology from expanding and contaminating our free, creative, diverse community and world with such despicable crimes.

"Clubs, Fans, Coaches and players worldwide expect you, as a leader, to condemn these crimes publicly and unequivocally against humanity."

It comes as Alex Goldberg, the chair of the Football Association's Fait in Football group, has resigned following the FA's refusal to pay tribute to Israel for upcoming England matches against Australia and Italy.

GB News presenter Nigel Farage has condemned the FA for failing to illuminate the Wembley arch in the colours of the Israeli flag.

"So our Football Association loves to present their manners, their pride, doing the right thing all the time," he said on social media.

"So the arch at Wembley it puts up the French flag when France is under attack, the Turkish attack when they are under attack, the Ukraine flag when they were under attack and, of course, when the World Cup was going on in Qatar, the LGBTQ+ flag went up.

"Because we're good people, we're nice people, we're great people.

"Until it comes to the jews. And then no one cares because they refuse to put up the Israel flag, despite what Hamas has done there over the course of the past five days.

"This is pure cowardice.

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"They're obviously worried about the local population, living in that area.

"And all of it says one thing.

"All this wonderful talk we have about diversity, how wonderful it is, well if this is multi-culturalism, if we're so scared of these extremists that celebrate terror on the streets of London then we're in a bad place.

"I'm sorry to the FA, you can take the knee all you like.

"But this makes you total, utter hypocrites."

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