MAIN GOAL A 19-year-old man chains himself to the goalposts during a football match between Scotland and Israel to protest Israel's continued military attacks in Gaza. Anadolu
Before the Women's Euro 2025 qualifier between Scotland and Israel at Glasgow's Hampden stadium, a demonstrator chained himself to the goalposts to protest Israel's military operation in Gaza, according to local media.
The atmosphere surrounding the Scotland-Israel match, which was held behind closed doors due to security concerns, was disrupted when a 19-year-old man chained himself to the goalposts and protested Israel's continued military attacks in Gaza, STV News reported on Friday.
When play resumed, the Israeli team's gesture of holding up T-shirts advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas added another layer of complexity to the match.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered outside the stadium, carrying Palestinian flags and symbolic coffins, reflecting a larger public outcry against the ongoing strife.
Despite the upheaval, the game eventually proceeded 45 minutes later, but not without echoes of dissent ringing through the air from both demonstrators and counter-protesters.
“I think it is cowardly that they have kept us out of our own national stadium,” the broadcaster quoted demonstrators as saying.
“They have silenced us, as fans and as protesters,” they decried.
The STV News quoted protestors calling on: “We should be in there making a noise in front of the television, instead they are keeping us outside and silent.”
“The decision to play the game in an empty stadium was reached following updated intelligence and ‘extensive security consultations’ with key parties involved,” the broadcaster said, citing a statement issued by the Scottish Football Association (SFA).
“Due to updated intelligence and following extensive security consultations with all key parties, the Scottish FA regrets to confirm that the forthcoming qualifier between Scotland and Israel at Hampden Park on May 31 will now be played behind closed doors,” the SFA stressed.“ Anadolu
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