Chelsea’s Israeli fans told to take down Star of David banner despite being in place at Stamford Bridge for eight years following Premier League ban on Israel and Palestine flags
- Chelsea Israeli Supporters’ Club were instructed to remove their original banner
- Chelsea offered to redesign and pay for a temporary banner with words only
- The Premier League will not allow flags of Israel and Palestine inside grounds
A group Chelsea supporters have been told they cannot display a banner containing the Star of David.
The Chelsea Israeli Supporters’ Club were instructed to remove their original banner which has been in place at Stamford Bridge for eight years following the issuing of Premier League guidelines that flags of Israel and Palestine would not be allowed into grounds amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Chelsea offered to redesign and pay for a temporary banner with words only to replace it but which the group asked to also include just the Star of David, a recognized Jewish symbol.
However, that has also not been put up with a disagreement breaking out over who has made the call.
Chelsea insist the Premier League referred them to their guidance when they checked and that advice included not to display any elements of the flag.
The Chelsea Israeli Supporters’ Club have had a banner at Stamford Bridge for eight years
But that version of events is refuted by the top flight who say any decision has been made by the club. Yarin Levi, secretary of the Chelsea Israeli Supporters’ Club, who have lost four members in the conflict, said: ‘It is anti-Semitic.
The Premier League says there is no room for racism unless you are Jewish. It’s super offensive. The Star of David is really part of our identity and it has caused a lot of upset and anger in the group.’
The banner was taken down before Chelsea’s home game against Arsenal. Chelsea next play at home against Blackburn in the Carabao Cup tomorrow and it is not expected that there will be a resolution in time.
Chelsea will then play at Stamford Bridge again when they host Manchester City on Sunday November 12.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are laying on free coaches for supporters for the club’s Christmas Eve trip to Wolves to help ease their travel concerns. In a goodwill gesture following last week’s controversial rearrangement of the game, any Blues fan who buys a ticket will also be able to book a seat on one of the buses travelling to and from Molineux at no additional cost.
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