The Government has told the Football Association it needs to do “much more” to show support to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Israel.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman delivered a damning verdict on the FA’s attempt to pay respects to those killed in the bloodshed triggered by Hamas just over a week ago amid its ongoing refusal to light the Wembley arch in the colours of the Israeli flag.
That decision saw the FA read the riot act by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Lucy Frazer, on the eve of England’s friendly victory over Australia on Friday night.
Asked ahead of the country’s European Championship qualifier against Italy on Tuesday whether the FA should now light the Wembley arch in line with what occurred in the wake of other global atrocities, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “As you say, they have managed to show support in those circumstances.
“I think it is right, given the horror that Israel has been put through, that every part of the UK shows its support.”
The Wembley arch stayed dark for the England-Australia game out of respect of all victims of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, while players on both sides wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence prior to kick-off.
Pressed on whether the Prime Minister thought the FA had “fallen short” in its memorials ahead of what are expected to be similar tributes on Tuesday night, his spokesman replied: “As I say, we think there is much more to do and much more they can be doing to show support.”
The FA chose not to light the arch either before or during the England-Australia game despite the Government writing to major UK Sports bodies encouraging them to mark the terrorist attacks in Israel “in line with previous events where sport has come together”.
The decision, taken amid fears of a backlash, was condemned publicly by Frazer, who wrote on X: “I am extremely disappointed by the FA’s decision not to light up the Wembley Stadium arch following last weekend’s horrific terrorist attacks in Israel, and have made my views clear to the FA.
“It is especially disappointing in light of the FA’s bold stance on other terrorist attacks in the recent past. Words and actions matter. The Government is clear: we stand with Israel.”
