WANA (Aug 17) – At the opening of the new football season, Manchester fans raised Iranian and Palestinian flags, demanding the expulsion of Israel from FIFA.

 

According to reports, on Sunday, protesters held banners calling for a “FIFA red card for Israel,” citing the killing of Palestinian athletes.

 

Anger toward Israel has intensified across European football over the deaths of Palestinian sportsmen, with reports noting that since the war in Gaza began, 502 Palestinian footballers and, in strikes against Iran, 43 Iranian athletes have been killed.

 

Manchester supporters had previously expressed solidarity with Palestine, inspired in part by club legend Eric Cantona’s outspoken support for the Palestinian people.

 

It is reported that during the season’s opening in Manchester, demonstrators highlighted the killing of Palestinian footballers over the past two years, the construction of Israeli stadiums on seized West Bank land, and the decades-long destruction of Palestinian sports and infrastructure. They urged FIFA to suspend Israel from international football.

 

According to the reports, the campaign to support Palestine and suspend Israel is gaining momentum within English football, backed by high-profile figures such as Mohamed Salah, Pep Guardiola, and Eric Cantona.