Black armbands will be worn and a period of silence observed at the England vs Australia friendly at Wembley tonight to remember the innocent victims of the conflict in Israel and Palestine.
However, the FA has faced criticism for not lighting up the Wembley arch in Israeli colours ahead of the game.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer posted on social media: “I am extremely disappointed by the FA’s decision not to light up the Wembley Stadium arch following last weekend’s horrific terrorist attacks in Israel, and have made my views clear to the FA.
“It is especially disappointing in light of the FA’s bold stance on other terrorist attacks in the recent past. Words and actions matter. The Government is clear: we stand with Israel.”
What has the FA said?
“On Friday evening, we will remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine,” the FA said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with them, and their families and friends in England and Australia and with all the communities who are affected by this ongoing conflict. We stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering.
“England and Australia players will wear black armbands during their match at Wembley Stadium and there will also be a period of silence held before kick-off.”
The statement added that flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality not linked to England or Australia will not be permitted inside Wembley on Friday night.
The FA will also promote the British Red Cross emergency appeal which has been set up to help people caught up in the humanitarian crisis.
The British Government has written to UK sports bodies encouraging them to mark events in Israel appropriately.
The Premier League has said players, managers and match officials will wear black armbands and observe a moment’s silence at the fixtures taking place over the weekend of 21-23 October. The league will also make a donation to the British Red Cross to support the aid efforts helping those in urgent need.
EFL teams will pay their respect in the same way across its matches this weekend.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews criticised the FA statement, pointing out that it made “no mention of the mass terrorist murders of hundreds of innocent Israelis last Saturday”, while the Government’s antisemitism adviser, Lord Mann, also made his feelings clear.
He told LBC on Friday: “I made it easy for them. I said, ‘Why don’t you put up the Jewish prayer colours which have been there for thousands of years?’
“The Wembley arch is seen by the Jewish community in north London more than any other icon, and the fact they couldn’t do that for an hour or two last night just to give that message of hope and comfort, I find depressing.”
England manager Gareth Southgate was asked for his thoughts on the FA’s stance at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, and accepted it was “one of the most complex situations in the world”.
Southgate said: “Firstly, incredibly harrowing pictures. Thoughts and feelings are to everybody who has suffered, who have lost relatives and friends in these attacks. It is incredibly disturbing to see.
“On a broader scale, in my lifetime it is one of the most complex situations in the world and I think everybody is grappling with how best to deal with that.
“I don’t know what it is like to walk in the shoes of people on either side of that conflict. What I do know is people at the FA will have consulted with everybody they possibly can and will have tried to make the best decision with good intentions.”
What time is England vs Australia?
England vs Australia kicks off at 7.45pm from Wembley. The match will be shown live on Channel 4, with coverage starting at 7pm. You can also stream the game via the Channel 4 website.
The Euros qualifier against Italy, which could secure England’s qualification, takes place on Tuesday at the same time, also from Wembley.
What do England need to go through to the Euro 2024 finals?
If Ukraine draw with North Macedonia on Saturday and England defeat the Italians then they confirm their spot in the Euro 2024 finals ion Germany.
A North Macedonia win would mean a draw would be enough for England, though qualification is highly likely anyway, with Gareth Southgate’s men sitting six points clear at the top of the group.
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