Fan with Palestine flag removed from pitch after Luton score against Liverpool
Luton and Liverpool drew 1-1 at Kenilworth Road
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One supporter was tackled by security and escorted from the pitch during Luton Town’s match against Liverpool on Sunday, after running on with a Palestine flag just after the game’s opening goal was scored.
The Premier League opted to ban displays of support through flags and banners for both Israel and Palestine amid the ongoing war between the former nation and Hamas, with clubs told not to allow them inside stadiums several weeks ago.
However, minutes after Tatith Chong had slid in the opener in an eventual 1-1 draw between the sides, one man jumped the hoardings between stewards and ran towards the centre circle, holding his flag aloft.
He was quickly accosted by staff and removed from the pitch, amid jeers from the 11,000 capacity crowd.
Before the match, a small gathering of people outside Luton train station were also chanting in support of Palestine, where more than 9,500 people have been killed in the past month.
Earlier in the match, Luton fans had aimed “always the victims” songs toward Liverpool fans, referencing 1980s stadium disasters - which is also banned by footballing authorities who labelled such chants “totally unacceptable” at the start of the season.
At the end of the match, Rob Edwards said he and the club “don’t condone” such chanting, but hadn’t heard it during the match and, as such, did not want to “say the wrong thing” until he’d had a chance to investigate what had occurred.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp similarly said he hadn’t heard the chanting during the game but added “shame on everybody who sang it”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments