A Saudi Arabia fan is seen talking to an Israeli journalist during the match between Saudi Arabia and Poland at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Saturday.
When the fan was asked by the reporter about his comments on the match, he said that the reporter is not welcome in Qatar owing to Israel’s role in the Palestine conflict.
“It is only Palestine, there is no Israel,” the angry fan said to the reporter. “Even if it’s Qatar, it is our country, we are a network and you’re not welcome here.”
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Watch the video.
The fan was voicing the stand of the Arab World that Israel has historically occupied Palestinian territories.
The conflict is one of the oldest in global politics, beginning in the mid-20th century, and in spite of attempts at resolution, it still stands unresolved with frequent flare-ups happening.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 has been a highly political affair as fans from several nations have used the platform to voice opinions on domestic matters on a global stage.
The Iranian fans and players have been the most notable in their support for the people in Iran who are protesting the morality police since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody. Iran footballers refused to sing the national anthem in their opening fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2022 against England in protest.
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In their next match against Wales, a woman with a Mahsa Amini jersey had it seized by the Qatari police inside the stadium. Many fans carrying posters and flags with the popular protest slogan “woman life freedom” also had them taken away by the police.
The Associated Press reported that during the Iran-Wales match, pro-Iranian government supporters and protestors clashed inside the stadium. Abuses were hurled and insulting words were said.
The Qatar World Cup has been embroiled in controversy since the Gulf nation received the bid to host it in 2010.
Now, it has became a stage for protestors to voice concerns while the whole world watches.
