FA inclusion board chair sorry for old tweets ‘that have caused offence when read in the context of recent events in Israel and Palestine’

The chairman of the Football Association’s Inclusion and Advisory Board (IAB) has apologized for historic tweets “which caused offense when read in the context of recent horrific events in Israel and Palestine”.

Former semi-professional footballer Deji Davies, who is also a non-executive director of Premier League club Brentford, has apologized on the first anniversary of the F.A. announcing that he would succeed Paul Elliott as president of the ICC.

“I became aware of tweets from ten years ago, in 2013, in which I made offensive comments when read in the context of recent horrific events in Israel and Palestine,” she said. posted Davies on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“As I do not wish to cause further offence, they have been removed.

“I have since learned more about the complexities of what is clearly an incredibly difficult and nuanced subject and I continue to learn.

“My current view on the situation is clear: the barbaric acts of Hamas this past weekend were horrific and resulted in the loss of many innocent victims. Which is happening now, with the loss of innocent lives in Israel and in Palestine, is heartbreaking and I support this action. FA’s message of peace and unity for all.

The FA Inclusion Advisory Board was established in 2013 and its role is to work alongside and challenge the FA Executive and Board in creating and implementing the FA’s strategies. governing body on equality, diversity and inclusion.

Davies’ apology came less than 24 hours after the rabbi who chairs the FA’s Faith in Football network resigned over the decision not to light the arch at Wembley Stadium in blue and white to represent the Israeli flag during Friday’s international friendly match against Australia.

Goldberg: The FA has failed

In a major letter to FA chief Mark Bullingham, Rabbi Alex Goldberg said he was “deeply disappointed” that the FA had chosen not to have a “specific tribute” for the match. Both teams wore black armbands during the match, with a minute’s silence observed before kick-off.

Rabbi Goldberg said he worked with the FA for 16 years on community relations and bringing communities together, adding that he resigned because “ultimately the FA failed.”

In a statement, an FA spokesperson made clear that the Faith in Football network “is not part of the FA’s governance structure”, insisting it was sorry to learn of the FA’s decision. Rabbi Goldberg to resign.

“Although this is an informal group and not part of the FA’s governance structure, we are grateful for the support they have given us over the years,” the statement added.

The FA Inclusion Advisory Board, on the other hand, reports directly to the FA Council.

Rabbi Goldberg’s resignation comes as the FA was branded “spineless” and condemned for its “weak response” to the Hamas attack in Israel after announcing the Wembley Stadium arch would not be lit.

Over the years, Wembley Arch has been lit up in the colors of the flags of countries, including France, Turkey and Ukraine, days after the attacks.

There are obvious sensitivities – some wanting recognition of the Palestinian deaths.

Lord Mann, a trustee of Kick It Out and independent adviser to the government on anti-racism, said News from the sky that inconsistencies around how other terrorist attacks have been commemorated have politicized the FA.

He added: “British citizens have been murdered in Israel by Hamas terrorists and they have chosen not to recognize it and I find that extremely sad.

“And there’s a lot of anger within the Jewish community and the message is that Jews don’t matter in football.”

On Thursday, the minister responsible for sport, Lucy Frazer, criticized the FA in a social media post.

“I am extremely disappointed by the FA’s decision not to light up the arch at Wembley Stadium following last weekend’s horrific terrorist attacks in Israel, and I have made my views clear to the FA. , she wrote.

“This is particularly disappointing in light of the FA’s bold stance in the face of other terrorist attacks in the recent past. Words and actions matter. The government is clear: we stand with Israel.”

Then, just hours before kick-off at Wembley, Israel Football Association president Moshe Zuares denounced what he saw as a lack of support for the country.

“There are times in history when the truth is one, stark and clear. This is the case of the present moment. More than 1,200 children, babies, women, men and elderly people have been massacred by a barbaric enemy , who committed crimes against humanity,” he said. in a press release published on social networks.

“The victims’ only sin was being Israelis. Those who are afraid to light up a stadium in memory of the murdered and in the name of historical truth, for reasons that cannot be understood at all and perhaps are worth -It’s better not to do it. Even try, we are living in an even darker time than the one my country is currently in.

“When this happens from the FA of a nation that has always been a moral beacon for the free world, it is more disappointing than ever. I have tried to explain this to my colleagues in the English FA several times over the last few days but they insisted they didn’t understand (sic). Now they are the ones who have to explain.

Premier League players, managers and match officials will wear black armbands and observe a minute’s silence during matches taking place over the weekend of October 21-23.