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FA refuse plea to light up Wembley Stadium to show solidarity with Israel

Lord Mann had been leading discussions with the Football Association to light up Wembley's arch

October 12, 2023 10:11
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LONDON - MARCH 09: The nearly complete Wembley Stadium rises above local buildings on March 9, 2007 in London. The Football Association is expected to receive the keys to the GBP757 million stadium in the next few days. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
3 min read

The Football Association (FA) has refused calls by Government figures to light up the arch at Wembley Stadium to show solidarity with Israel.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has written to major UK sports bodies including the FA suggesting they pay tribute to Israeli victims of the Hamas terror attack in an appropriate manner at forthcoming events.

She said: “In the light of the attacks on Israel on behalf of the secretary of state we would encourage you to mark the events appropriately in line with previous events where sport has come together.”

Lord Mann, the government’s antisemitism adviser, is also in talks with the FA about illuminating the Wembley arch for a friendly match between England and Australia on Friday.