 (1).png){kind=spacer}
4 months ago
7
SNS
A protester chained himself to the goalposts before Scotland’s Women's Euro 2025 qualifier against Israel at Glasgow's Hampden stadium.
The match was delayed by about 45 minutes after the man used a heavy duty lock to secure himself to the posts in protest at Israel's military operation in Gaza.
The teams then returned to the dressing rooms.
The match is being played behind closed doors for security reasons, but some reports said the demonstrator may have been mistaken for a steward as he had been wearing a high-vis vest.
About 400 people, some carrying small coffins and Palestinian flags, had earlier gathered outside the doors of the main stand.
When the match kicked off demonstrators booed and blew whistles, and a number of fireworks were let off.
A handful of counter-protesters also demonstrated before the group B2 game.
SNS
The players returned to the dressing room as police dealt with the incident
Players were seen discussing a second warm-up and whether it was safe to return to the pitch shortly before the match got back under way.
When it did, protesters could be heard chanting from outside the national stadium.
Last week, the SFA said it had been left with "no option" but to bar supporters from attending "following extensive security consultations with all key parties".
Public demonstrations against Israel's military operation in Gaza have been happening regularly across the UK.
One group - the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee - arranged a protest before the game at Hampden and called for the matches to be cancelled.
Police Scotland said: "Appropriate policing plans are in place to maintain public safety and minimise any disruption to the community."
SNS
Several hundred demonstrators gathered outside the stadium
Protesters carried Palestinian flags and small coffins to the demonstration
Israel was banned from hosting any football matches by Uefa for security reasons in the aftermath of the 7 October attack by Hamas and the Israeli government's military response.
Instead, the Israeli national side and its club teams have played fixtures at neutral venues in Hungary.
Tuesday's return game between Scotland and Israel in Budapest will also be played behind closed doors.
