Major League football introduced a temporary measure last week banning fans attending matches from bringing signs, banners, flags or Tifos referencing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
A photo of a sign outside FC CincinnatiHis stadium posted on social media on Saturday that the league changed its fan code of conduct to ban any “flag representing a country or nationality in MLS matches.” Athletics contacted MLS for comment, and a league spokesperson said there was no change to the code of conduct, but a temporary directive that began with games on Oct. 14.
That directive required that no new flags or symbols related to the current conflict be allowed. MLS said the move was discussed with the clubs and that the clubs also spoke to supporters’ groups about the temporary measure.
The move follows Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent war in Israel and Gaza.
Similar guidelines have been issued in other parts of the world. This week, English Premier League issued instructions to its clubs advising them to ban the flags of Israel and Palestine inside the stadiums. The league said the decision was made after consulting with security organizations and Jewish groups, with this being one of their recommendations.
For England’s home games against Australia and Italy during the October international break, the FA similarly banned replica flags and kits that did not belong to the teams competing that day.
Some clubs, such as Tottenham, already have similar policies on flags of nations in conflict or that could be considered inflammatory. English Football League (EFL) has recommended that clubs not allow flags representing Israel or Palestine to be brought into stadiums.
NWSL team Angel City FC also banned flags unrelated to the games amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Angel City’s La Fortaleza – the standing section at BMO Stadium that is home to the club’s six supporter groups – observed a five-minute silent demonstration during Sunday’s NWSL match against the Portland Thorns in response to statements issued by the club and its founders in his social channels. .
On October 12, the club’s founders – Kara Nortman, Julie Uhrman and Natalie Portman – issued a statement regarding the conflict in Israel and Gaza: “We strongly condemn the horrific and hateful actions of Hamas against Israel. Indiscriminate killing and violence against children and families by Hamas is terrorism.
“We stand firmly against anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred. We pray for the peace and safety of all innocent people in the region.”
On the day of the team’s final regular-season game, the team announced, “Only representations related to the two teams competing in today’s game will be allowed inside BMO Stadium,” citing “out of concern for the safety of players, fans and staff ours.”
During the game, a section of fans in the lower bleachers area behind the Angel City goal held up a sign that read, “Founders don’t speak for everyone.” Shortly after, several Palestinian flags were flown around the area. Palestinian flags were removed by security. The fans holding the banner for the founders were not removed.
(Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)
