A video clip of an England football fan at the World Cup in Qatar went viral on Sunday after he shouted “Free Palestine” during a live interview with an Israeli reporter.
The live broadcast interview followed England’s 3-0 win over Senegal and occurred outside the Al-Bayt Stadium in the city of Al-Khor. The reporter, from Israel's Kan-11, asked the fan: “Is it coming home?” referencing the well-known English football anthem. After replying in the affirmative, the fan took the mic from the reporter and said: “But more importantly, free Palestine!”
The clip gained a lot of traction online with hundreds of comments thanking the fan for his support over the issue.
Some comments read: “This video made my day”, “Oh God, grant Palestine victory over their enemies. You are capable of everything, O God” and “Free Palestine from IsraHell”.
A British fan screaming “Free Palestine” to an lsraeli reporter in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/sTP9SP4qPp
— Muhammad Smiry 🇵🇸 (@MuhammadSmiry) December 4, 2022
Another clip also went viral on TikTok after another English football fan voiced his support for the Palestinian cause. Outside the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, a man with the English flag painted on his face told an AlJazeera interviewer that he had two things to say.
“One, football is coming home. And two, Falasteen Hurra! (Free Palestine)” the man said.
This is killing me pic.twitter.com/1MvbQhD92X
— S (@mertesakib) December 2, 2022
Both videos have been widely circulated on Arab social media, with views and shares in the millions.
The videos come amidst a tense atmosphere for Israeli reporters in Doha after a series of clips showed Arab footballs fans harassing Israeli journalists with one Saudi fan filmed telling an Israeli reporter, “There is no Israel, only Palestine.”
مشجع سعودي يرفض الحديث مع مراسل إسرائيلي "ليس هناك إسرائيل هناك فلسطين فقط" …. "انت ليس مرحب بك هنا" pic.twitter.com/1fLzuhRGiM
— Haitham El-Tabei التابعي (@Haithamtabei) November 26, 2022
This year’s World Cup, the first to be hosted by a country in the Middle East, has seen many examples of fans and teams displaying support for the Palestinian cause.
Following the Tunisia and France match on Wednesday, a fan invaded the pitch waving a Palestinian flag.
Iranian fans embrace and celebrate with Israeli reporter at #FIFAWorldCup 😂 💜 pic.twitter.com/4jRv6xBcFy
— Emily Schrader - אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) November 27, 2022
But the tournament also showed a rare moment of solidarity, as Iranian football fans were filmed celebrating with an Israeli reporter after their 2-0 win over Wales.
