The Football Association is conducting an inquiry into a council member’s remarks, which have led to an apology for stating that “Benjamin Netanyahu would make Adolf Hitler proud.”
In 2019, Wasim Haq was appointed as a “BAME Football Communities Representative” for the FA. However, he faced backlash for making a comment on social media regarding Israel’s conflict with Hamas. Haq, who also has roles with England Golf and the Lawn Tennis Association, later removed the post and denied accusations of being anti-Semitic.
Initially, the Football Association stated that Haq had removed the post and had expressed regret for causing offense after the post was reported to them on Saturday afternoon. However, Lord Wolfson, who leads the FA’s Football Regulatory Committee, promptly requested for additional measures to be implemented.
Haq, who previously held a role on the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board, had posted on X: “Netanyahu has sacrificed his own people to maintain power … whilst #Palestinians are trying to maintain their sanity. Adolf Hitler would be proud of Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Lord Wolfson stated that removing the tweet and offering an apology is the least that can be done, but it alone is not enough. Referring to Nazism in order to attack Jewish individuals or Israel is considered anti-Semitic by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which the FA adopted in January 2021. Lord Wolfson has requested that Debbie Hewitt, the FA chair, conduct a formal and urgent investigation into this matter. He believes it should be taken very seriously.
The Football Association has announced that they will be conducting an investigation following a post made by Haq. A spokesperson stated that the post was deemed “unacceptable” and “highly offensive”. The Lawn Tennis Association has also distanced themselves from the post and will be conducting their own investigation into Haq, who has publicly shown support for Palestine in recent days.
Haq has stated that they have removed a tweet that was published yesterday and has expressed regret for any offense it may have caused. They have also apologized to those who were offended.
The Football Association (FA) received backlash for its handling of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th. Prominent Jewish organizations expressed disappointment over the FA’s decision to not light up the Wembley arch with the Israeli flag colors last month. A moment of silence was observed before England’s games against Australia and Italy at Wembley to honor all victims of the conflict.
The Football Association (FA) sparked outrage when they were accused of not denouncing Deji Davies’ past tweets about boycotting Israel. Davies, who is the chair of the FA’s inclusion advisory board, had sent these tweets in 2013 and has since deleted them.
Source: theguardian.com
