The conflict between Israel and Palestine continues, prompting the US to provide aid to Gaza. Several nations have urged for an immediate ceasefire in the region. Meanwhile, a photo from a football match depicts an impactful moment during the national anthem. In the image, one team’s players and referees face in one direction, while the other team faces the opposite way. The claim accompanying the photo suggests that female members of the Ireland team protested by turning away during the playing of Israeli national anthem.
The image is shared on Facebook with a caption: “আইরিশ জাতীয় মহিলা দলের খেলোয়াড়রা ইসরায়েলের জাতীয় সঙ্গীত চলাকালীন মাঠে উল্টোদিক করে দাঁড়িয়ে আছে, যা হিব্রু মিডিয়ায় ব্যাপকভাবে সমালোচিত হয়েছে। ব্রাভো আইরিশ প্রমিলা ফুটবল দল” (English version: See below.)
Here’s the link to the above post.
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the above claim, and found it to be MISLEADING.
We initially used keywords to check whether members of the Irish women’s football team, indeed, faced the pitch during the Israeli national anthem, but could not find any credible media report.
Following the post’s viral spread, the Football Association of Ireland released a statement clarifying the situation. According to the statement, both teams faced each other during the playing of Israel’s national anthem. However, when the Irish national anthem began, the Irish players turned towards the opposite side, as that’s where the Irish national flag was located.
Further, a video of the national anthems was also shared on Twitter. In the video, while playing the Israeli national anthem, members of both teams are seen facing one side. However, when the Irish national anthem begins, the Irish players turn around to face the opposite direction.
Thus, it is evident from the above information that the viral video claiming that Ireland’s women soccer team turned away during Israel’s national anthem is misleading.
