The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier between Scotland and Israel in Glasgow was delayed when a protester wearing a ‘Red Card for Israel’ t-shirt chained himself to a goalpost at Hampden Park. The demonstrator, who identified as part of the Jewish Voice for Peace group, protested against the decision to play the match in front of thousands of spectators despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The kick-off was delayed for over half an hour as security tried to remove the protester, resulting in significant disruptions to the game. However, it is unclear whether this action had any impact on the outcome of the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Both the match in Glasgow and the subsequent game in Hungary are being played behind closed doors due to concerns about safety and security. Protests outside the stadium highlighted the controversy surrounding allowing the game to proceed amidst ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine.
The Scottish Football Association had made its decision to play without spectators after receiving updated intelligence about potential disruptions related to political protests. Campaign groups like Scottish Friends of Palestine criticized this move, accusing Scotland of attempting to “sportswash” Israel by playing against them on its own soil. However, Scotland argued that it had made efforts to ensure that both sides could participate in a fair and competitive match without compromising public safety or disrupting local communities.
The Gaza war had been sparked by an attack from Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in multiple casualties on both sides. The conflict had escalated over time, leading to significant loss of life and displacement of people from their homes. The situation added tension to the qualifier match between Scotland and Israel, causing controversy and protests outside the stadium.
Overall, while there were some difficulties with security during this qualifier match between Scotland and Israel, it is important that sport remains separate from politics and that all parties involved prioritize public safety above all else.
