A MAN has been charged after staging a protest at Scotland’s Women’s Euro qualifier against Israel on Friday night.
The match was played behind closed doors due to the threat of protest.
Indeed, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow calling for the match to be called off due to Israel’s continued actions in Palestine.
A protester wearing a t-shirt which said “Red Card for Israel” chained themselves to a goalpost shortly before kick-off.
Although he was eventually removed his demonstration delayed the match by around 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, protesters outside the stadium played the Palestinian national anthem in an attempt to drown out the Israeli anthem being played inside.
They accused the Scottish Football Association of attempting to “sportswash” Israel by allowing the match to go ahead.
Replica coffins and banners which read “Ceasefire Now” were also displayed outside.
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan said: “A proportionate policing response was deployed at Hampden during the evening of Friday, 31 May and we worked with event organisers to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance and those in the surrounding area.
“A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged following an incident on the pitch prior to kick-off and will be subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.”
When the match was allowed to continue Israel players held up a t-shirt which said “Bring Them Home” – a reference to the hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack – during the official team photos.
Scotland eventually emerged victorious beating Israel 4-1.
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