I want to start off by making it very clear that this is my opinion and my opinion alone.
Right, now that’s out of the way, let’s dive into the curious case that is Liverpool Football Club’s treatment of fan @lfcrazz during the Reds’ 5-1 win over Toulouse.
For those who have yet to come across @lfcrazz’s story, the long and short of it was that he was escorted out of the stands and asked to remove a jumper that demonstrated support for the Palestinian cause – an item of clothing that did not (just to clarify) state support for Hamas nor promote violence against Israel, its citizens nor the Israeli regime.
Last night the club that I’ve adored since I was 5 has broken me, everything I thought we stood for felt like a farce so much for YNWA and freedom of speech, I travel up 3 hours every home game even when I can’t get a ticket just to be in the city for game… 1/6 @LFC @LFCHelp https://t.co/9SU0dcyeI5 pic.twitter.com/dRUU11eOUn
— 🇵🇸 (@lfcrazz) October 27, 2023
Some, then, might be wondering how on earth a fan can be pressured to strip themselves of clothing or flags that simply show solidarity.
There are regulations the club could technically point to in aid of defending its reaction to this isolated incident – given the fixture in question was a Europa League clash – though not necessarily ones I find myself persuaded by.
UEFA’s stance
Article 16.2 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations (2022) states the following: “All associations and clubs are liable for the following inappropriate behaviour on the part of their supporters and may be subject to disciplinary measures and directives even if they can prove the absence of any negligence in relation to the organisation of the match:”
With the relevant facet of the guidance being: “e. the use of gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit a provocative message that is not fit for a sports event, particularly provocative messages that are of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature.”
A precedent has already been set at club level too. The Belfast Telegraph reports that, following the decision of Celtic supporters to show solidarity with the Palestinian people during the Glaswegian side’s Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid, sanctions are likely to follow.
It goes some way to explaining why Liverpool stewards rushed to “correct” the fan in question, presumably for fear of avoiding disciplinary proceedings, not to mention wishing to follow the letter of the law in the club guidance issued prior to the Europa League meeting with Toulouse (as relayed by the Echo): “In addition to Anfield’s long standing flag policy, and following consultation with safety and security experts, it has been determined that Israeli and Palestinian flags should not be permitted to be displayed at football matches for the foreseeable future and the same approach can be applied to other displays, banners, clothing or scarves identified as pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian or related to the current crisis.”
Liverpool, you’ve got this one wrong
Whilst we can respect that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is a complex one, and refusing to take any side in the matter is potentially seen as being better than appearing to take one by proxy, the treatment of @lfcrazz still leaves a rather bitter taste.
Especially in light of the fact that the club has recently been selling merchandise in support of Ukraine. Surely we then can’t be selective in which causes are considered worthy. That said, I’d be remiss not to mention the wider context we must pay tribute to when comparing the two conflicts. There is a religious element underpinning events in Gaza that further complicates matters for a club like Liverpool representing a global and multicultural fanbase – ergo, it is possible (though not necessarily agreeable) to rationalise Liverpool’s commitment to neutrality.
I can’t speak for every Liverpool fan, nor can I speak for my colleagues at large in the football reporting/writing space, however, in my mind, I see little reason why supporters should not be able to express solidarity with a populace under genuine threat of genocide.
What does it say about our values as a club if we stay silent on such a matter? Mark my words, future generations will condemn such a stance – and rightly so.
Ultimately, I find myself resting on what I believe to be one final, crucial point: there is (or should be) a difference between showing solidarity (in the interest of keeping the plight of an entire people in the public consciousness) and being ‘provocative’ by, for example, promoting violence and bloodshed.
As far as I’m concerned – @lfcrazz falls into the former of the two categories. In that same breath, mourning the death of Israeli Liverpool fans – The Athletic reported on the removal of a banner, prior to the Merseyside derby, from the Kop reading “In Loving Memory of the Fallen Israeli Reds” following Hamas attacks on 7th October – surely also shouldn’t be considered ‘provocative’ under UEFA’s regulations nor in opposition to Premier League guidance. Either way, it feels like the wrong call.
Even in a debate that divides the world’s powers, there should be room for nuance in this issue at the level of club football and beyond. There should at least be wiggle room for expressions of solidarity for those caught in the crossfire, even if the club is totally committed to a stance of neutrality.
Let’s not completely strip football as a platform of what makes it stand out (with increasing rarity) as a force for good.
#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones🎙️
Anybody supporting hammas should be banned for life no questions asked!!!!!
It’s not about supporting Hammas, it’s about the show of solidarity,with a populace under genuine threat of genocide. As a supporter of LFC It’s important that we have the right as fans to express our views and opinions, and not to be hoodwinked and told to keep quiet, while living in a free and democratic society. What would have happened if we would have kept quiet about the injustice, lies and cover-up of Hillsborough, not ro mention Paris and Euefa!
Free Palestine, stop the genocide
I think the club did the right thing. Sorry for the supporter. He is rightfully disappointed. But he should have known that he cannot go on Anfield with a political message on his chest. Maybe he is so emotional or angry about the Israel&Gaza war that he does not consider it a political message. But under the circumstances, it is as such.
What are you going on about! What do you think about Russia and the Ukrainian war now? Do you think that’s not political? Well I’ll tell you it is, so if that’s the case, why was our Club, selling Ukrainian flags and selling their merchandise. You can’t have it one way then change your mind to suit whatever way the wind wind blows! F#ck LFC and their shithousery rule to please the FA, and the Premier League goons. I’ll be taking a flag of Palestine into the ground in support of solidarity and freedom of speech while thinking of the genocide that’s going on in Gaza.
I absolutely think that the officials did exactly the right thing. A football crowd is not the correct place demonstrate your opinion about a war, or opinion about religion, or opinion about politics. You will always have another member of that crowd opposing it. A physical objection could easily ensue, causing possibly a stampede.
Wtf are you going on about? Stampede! What’s that got to do with the genocide that’s going on in Gaza, yer fool.
You speak about not being able to show any form of support to a political cause, yet it was ok for LFC to sell Ukraine flags and other merchandise! Isn’t that
war political.
It’s called being selective and jumping on the western opinion of what people think about Gaza and it’s people.
‘Being selective’? Would you be happy to see Israel flags as well as Palestinian ones in the kop. Two sides and sympathies to this tragic story. My view no place for either at a footie match.
Is it ok to commemorate LIVERPOOL FANS (either from Gaza or Israel) that were killed during the recent conflict?
Sport should not be used to air political views as it may cause trouble with different fractions within the crowd.
However anti racism support is more than acceptable.
no politic s or support for one side or another in a war should be allowed at a football match. If Anfield are selling goods in support of Ukraine,that should stop as well. 99% of people are there to support the football team,if an individual wants to show support for israel or gaza there are plenty of oppurtunities,unless he wants to virtue signal on t.v..
Go to the match and watch the footy. No place for protesting on world events. If you need to do that go join a political protest march. Whichever side you take don’t bring it to the match.
Protesting on Hillsborough was correct as it was ‘our’ issue and was Liverpool business.
You were told rightly not to bring any Palestine or Israel flags but you thought you knew better.
I’ll bring what I want to any game until I’m told different. Will live in a democratic Country that gives me the right to say what I want to say or do what I wish to do within the law.
So being told by the f#ckwits that are LFC with its zionist values in doing as we do and what we say isn’t written in my book mate.
You talk about politics and protest, and you had the club selling Ukrainian flags and wares in its shops while some people held aloft in games, yet you go on about protesting and doing it somewhere else! You can’t have it one way then have it another to suit whatever LFC think, f#ckin hypocrites.
I’ll bring what I want to any game until I’m told different. We live in a democratic Country that gives me the right to say what I want to say or do what I wish to do within the law.
So being told by the f#ckwits that are LFC with its zionist values in doing as we do and what we say isn’t written in my book mate.
You talk about politics and protest, and you had the club selling Ukrainian flags and wares in its shops while some people held aloft in games, yet you go on about protesting and doing it somewhere else! You can’t have it one way then have it another to suit whatever LFC think, f#ckin hypocrites.
So what you saying is, is it’s OK for innocent people to be killed. People who have no interest in the dictatorship and genocide of Israel. Despite one of our players and coming out asking for peace.
How selfish! Wouldn’t wanna be in a life boat with you mate! Let’s all close our doors and turn our backs. Imagine if we would have done that after Hillsborough! Ho it’s OK, let SYP, tell its lies and slander the good name of people like me who did what we did on that day!
Some people, do my head in!