Clearly uncomfortable, the reporter responded by saying “football only”, before attempting to ask the group another question about the football.
This exchange didn’t go as the reporter intended.
Footage of an England fan in Qatar shouting ‘Free Palestine’ while live on Israeli TV has been widely shared in the aftermath of the Three Lions’ win over Senegal on Sunday.
England breezed through to a quarter-final against Senegal with their 3-0 win at Al Bayt Stadium, and supporters were in a jubilant mood after full-time.
Four of them ended up speaking to a reporter who was conducting a live broadcast for a television station in Israel. The reporter started by asking the four men if, after the result, they believed football was ‘coming home’.
The men seemed confident of their side’s chances, but one of them suddenly pulled the microphone closer, yelling: “But more importantly, free Palestine!”
'It's coming home, but more importantly… free Palestine!' pic.twitter.com/gTqiWA4oGl
— j (@jrc1921) December 4, 2022
This isn’t the first time during the tournament an England fan has made a statement about Palestine, with another supporter delivering a similar message but in Arabic after the win over Wales last week.
https://twitter.com/PhilipProudfoot/status/1598721366240264192
After qualifying for the knockout stages by topping their group, England’s game with Senegal looked a difficult assignment for Gareth Southgate’s side.
The opening half an hour was even, with the African champions going close to opening the score on two occasions.
The deadlock was eventually broken six minutes from half-time when Jude Bellingham teed up Jordan Henderson to slot home. There was enough time remaining before the break for Harry Kane to score his first goal of the tournament, with Bukayo Saka adding a third in the second half.
England return to Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday where they’ll face France for a place in the World Cup semi-final.
