English Football Association to Honor Israeli, Palestinian Victims at Wembley Stadium

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FA Cup Final - Manchester City v Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - June 3, 2023 General view inside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FA Cup Final - Manchester City v Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - June 3, 2023 General view inside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo
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English Football Association to Honor Israeli, Palestinian Victims at Wembley Stadium

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FA Cup Final - Manchester City v Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - June 3, 2023 General view inside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FA Cup Final - Manchester City v Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - June 3, 2023 General view inside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo

The English Football Association will pay tribute to the victims of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict when England hosts Australia in a friendly match at Wembley Stadium on Friday.

"On Friday evening, we will remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine," the FA said in a statement.

Plans, however, do not include lighting up the national stadium's iconic arch in the colors of Israel's flag, despite increasing calls to do so, it said.

The England and Australia teams will wear black armbands and observe a moment of silence before kick off.

“We stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering,” the FA said.

The soccer body also said it would only permit “flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality” for the nations competing on Friday. The same rules will apply when England hosts Italy in a European Championship qualifier on Tuesday.
Wembley's arch has been lit up in the past in the colors of Ukraine's flag after it was invaded by Russia and in the colors of Brazil when soccer great Pele died.



Barcelona Boss Flick Hopeful Gundogan Will Stay This Season

 Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP)
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP)
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Barcelona Boss Flick Hopeful Gundogan Will Stay This Season

 Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP)
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia and FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (AP)

New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said he expects Ilkay Gundogan to stay this season after reports linked the midfielder with a move away from the LaLiga club.

The 33-year-old Germany international is in the final year of his Barcelona contract, having joined from Manchester City in 2023.

Gundogan is one of the top earners at the club, and Spanish media reports suggested he might leave after the signing of midfielder Dani Olmo.

Gundogan missed Barcelona's opening league match, a 2-1 win at Valencia on Saturday due to a minor injury. "(Gundogan) hurt his eyebrow on Monday and that's why he's staying at home," Flick told reporters after the game.

"I appreciate what kind of player he is and what he is like as a person. I've talked to him a lot, but it's something between me and him, we have a good relationship. I know him well. I have the feeling that he will stay."

Barcelona host Athletic Bilbao next in LaLiga on Saturday.