The Israeli forces stormed into the Palestinian Football League Cup final between Jabal Al-Mukaber and Balata FC at the Faisal AL Husseini International stadium near Jerusalem and attacked with tear gas. Many players and fans suffered from gas inhalation and were treated on the pitch, while three were required to be taken to the hospital.
Turkey's General Consul to Palestine Ahmet Riza Demirer, and Jibril al-Rajoub, the president of the PFA, were attending the game. The incident happened during the halftime break and the fans immediately had to step onto the pitch to breathe and avoid the tear gas released by the Israeli Forces. This attack affected hundreds of fans who were present and some had travelled a long way to watch this important match.
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The PFA addressed the attack and stated, "Without prior warning, the occupation soldiers rained gas bombs on the stadium, which fell on the pitch and between the stands, where hundreds of fans, including children, were present,"
While the President of the PFA also reacted to the incident and said “I think those are the neo-Nazis. Targeting football players and fans, and firing tear gas on the pitch and the stadium, is a stain in the [Israeli] occupation's face,"
He added that the PFA will file an official complaint with FIFA and also the football Federations in Asia to end terrorism in the sport. The President said that this is an attack on the occupation of the country by the neo-Nazis and was surprised as there were no military clashes in the proximity of the match. Many players and sports people have expressed their dissent against the Israeli forces.
This was not the first time the political situation between the two countries has affected football, in 2021 the Israeli forces interrupted the national team training by firing tear gas and demolished a part of the Jenin football club in February. This incident has added fuel to fire between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
