Izuchukwu Okosi
Premier League giants Arsenal are wary of the backlash that the club might face with their players taking sides in the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine after two of their players posted messages of support to either nations on their social media handles.
There has been mindless attacks on both sides of the divide with dozens of people killed for what is suspected to be a religious war.
Clubs across Europe have maintained a public silence so far amid the Hamas terror attacks.
Jewish supporters organisations for Arsenal released a statement on Wednesday, criticising football’s silence around the Hamas terror attacks and urging governing bodies, organisations and clubs to offer their public sympathy and respect.
READ ALSO: How World Leaders Are Reacting To Israel-Palestine War
In an apparent response to the statement, Egypt midfielder Mohamed Elneny changed his Twitter (X) and Instagram avatars to a Palestine flag, while Ukraine international defender Oleksandr Zinchenko posted a message on Instagram that read: ‘I stand with Israel’ before later deleting it.
The North London club are yet to order either player to delete their messages or replace their avatars, but have told their squad that any social media posts on the subject could cause upset or anger among their global fanbase, according to London-based tabloid, Telegraph.
Football clubs are often wary about interfering in politics and similar subjects given that they have fans across several countries on the planet.
Arsenal are not ready to take sides this time around either and they want their players to keep their opinions to themselves.
The report went further to state that the Gunners would also likely prefer if the players do not bring the subject into the dressing room as it could cause tensions when players start taking sides.
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