UK's greenest football team is an avid critic of Israeli occupation
4 Min Read
The Forest Green Rovers serves exclusively vegan concessions, is the first UN-certified carbon-neutral club, and proudly flies a Palestinian flag at its stadium.
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![British clubs and players wave Palestinian flags [Getty].](https://media-en.almayadeen.net/archive/image/2022/8/28/4900f75b-85c9-4545-a703-c06c63b64c09.jpeg?v=3)
British clubs and players wave Palestinian flags [Getty].
The small western English town of Nailsworth witnessed its team play in the top leagues for the first time in its 133-year history at three o'clock on Saturday, August 20.
Plymouth Argyle and Forest Green Rovers squared off in the encounter, which took place at their home stadium, New Lawn Stadium. In a merit-based system that places teams in higher or lower categories depending on their performance from the previous season, the Rovers were moving up the ladder for the first time to the English Football League One.
'Green club'
The Rovers, sometimes known as the "green club," is the first professional sports team in history to receive a UN certificate confirming their carbon neutrality. Although spectators may bring their own, they do not sell meat or dairy products at their concession stands. Additionally, the club encourages and adheres to green policies.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a marine preservation nonprofit, sponsors some of the club's games. The black Jolly Roger flag of the group is flown above the perfectly trimmed grass.
However, the Palestinian flag is also flying proudly in the stadium. The club's dynamic owner, Dale Vince, is a fervent advocate for Palestinian concerns and is defying the conventional wisdom that politics and sport shouldn't be mixed.
Solidarity with #Ukraine is being shown across stadiums worldwide, breaking the sports no-politics doctrine.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 28, 2022
On the other hand, athletes and football clubs were fined and even punished for showing support for #Palestine.
Who's politicizing the matter? #Russia pic.twitter.com/GVZ6Sxjyfl
The Palestinian cause
Vince purchased the team in 2010 and funded its most prosperous period. His vision includes the flags, the absence of greasy burger trucks near the stadium, the Sea Shepherd clothing, and vegan food advertisements.
In April of this year, he posted a picture of the Palestinian flag with the caption: “We flew this flag at FGR’s [Forest Green Rovers] game today. In solidarity with Palestine... Palestine has been under siege by Israel — by air, land and sea, for decades. The US allows this, pumps billions into Israel to support its economy and military and uses its veto to block any meaningful action by the UN.”
We flew this flag at FGR’s game today. In solidarity with Palestine.
— Dale Vince (@DaleVince) April 18, 2022
The conflict there has all the same ingredients as the one in Ukraine - invasion, occupation, murder of civilians, destruction of homes and hospitals - and sieges. pic.twitter.com/D6a2nqCuMz
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The representative of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in the United Kingdom, Husam Zomlot, was also invited by Vince on April 30. In 2019, Vince also welcomed Jermy Corbyn, the former leader of the Labour Party who is well known for his unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
I extend our heartfelt appreciation for your solidarity with the people and righteous cause of Palestine. We look forward to the day @FGRFC_Official visit Palestine for a friendly match in Jerualem, the liberated capital of Palestine. Thank you @DaleVince ✊🏽🙏🏽#Palestine #FGR https://t.co/oej5V1GK8d
— Husam Zomlot (@hzomlot) April 23, 2022
On the other hand, Israeli lobbies and media could not handle the fact that a football club in the West did not approve and applaud their ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, and thus proceeded to adopt classic smearing tactics.
UK Lawyers For "Israel" (UKLFI) sent Vince a letter outlining their disapproval of his behavior on May 25.
“Vince and FGRFC clearly used sports events for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature and brought the sport into disrepute. They are in clear and flagrant breach of these provisions,” said UKLFI director Sam Green, despite that Green and his UKLFI cronies did not send a single letter to denounce the Ukrainian flags raised in European football matches.
This month, Vince was charged with antisemitism in an article by Israel Hayom. With the statement, "As for Jewish soccer fans, it is best they do not attend these matches, especially if they're wearing anything identifying them as such," the piece reached its height of hysteria.
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Over the years, a number of football players and UK football supporters have shown support for Palestine, especially Celtic FC of the Scottish Premiership, who frequently display the Palestinian flag. Other football players, like Paul Pogba of Manchester United and Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City, have raised the flag in support of Palestine.
Their actions coincided with the 11-day Israeli war on Gaza in May of last year, which resulted in the martyrdom of over 200 Palestinians.
