MLS: Columbus Crew Can Display Palestinian Flag for Star Striker Wessam Abou Ali

Major League Soccer (MLS) has approved a request from the Columbus Crew’s supporters’ group, the Nordecke, to display a Palestinian flag at home matches in support of their new star striker, Wessam Abou Ali, a Palestinian national team player. The decision follows the Crew’s $7.5 million signing of the 26-year-old from Egyptian club Al Ahly, marking a significant exemption to the league’s flag policy.

Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, MLS implemented a ban on national flags not previously displayed at stadiums, including those of Israel and Palestine, to avoid political controversies. The Crew’s exemption allows one flag per nationality represented on their roster, including Palestine, Algeria, Argentina, Canada, and others, to be displayed in a designated section of Lower.com Field. However, fans cannot bring their own Palestinian flags; the club will provide and install them.

Abou Ali, born in Denmark to Palestinian parents, switched from Denmark’s youth teams to Palestine’s national team in March 2024, scoring four goals in 10 appearances. His signing, celebrated for his 38 goals in 59 games at Al Ahly, prompted the Nordecke to seek clarity on flag restrictions. The group previously displayed Ukrainian flags for defender Yevhen Cheberko in 2023 without issue, highlighting inconsistent enforcement of the policy. A similar exemption exists for Philadelphia Union fans, who display Israeli flags for striker Tai Baribo, signed before the 2023 ban.

While the Palestinian Football Association praised the move as a symbol of “resilience and pride,” the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel criticized MLS for not addressing Israel’s impact on Palestinian soccer. Some X posts note the exemption’s limited scope, while others, including @ynetnews, highlight Abou Ali’s controversial goal celebrations, such as mimicking a pose by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. MLS emphasized its Fan Code of Conduct, with Commissioner Dan Garber stating the policy aims to prevent displays that incite conflict.

The exemption applies only at Columbus home games, potentially starting with the Crew’s next match against Toronto FC. The broader league-wide ban on Palestinian and Israeli flags remains in place, reflecting MLS’s cautious approach to politically charged symbols amid the ongoing Middle East war.

Sources: The Athletic, Ynet, NBC4, The Columbus Dispatch