Israel Matzav

Former Chelsea soccer player says he never signed petition with his name that supported 'Palestinians'

Recently, a statement was released via the personal website of former Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute which read: "We, as European football players, express our solidarity with the people of Gaza who are living under siege and denied basic human dignity and freedom." The names of 62 current and former European soccer players appeared on the statement. Now, one of them denies having signed it.

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has rejected reports that he pledged his support to Palestine during their ongoing conflict with Israel.

...

"My name was on a list of signatories of a petition supporting Palestine," Drogba said in a statement. "Please note: I did not sign this petition or give my support to this initiative, because I have never got involved in any conflicts, even in my own country, the Ivory Coast.

"I have always tried to work for peace and reconciliation but also to fight against any forms of injustice or discrimination, which is what I try to do with my foundation."

I wonder if any other names were added without the players' consent. 

The petition saw dozens of other stars from across the globe, including Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye and Paris Saint-Germain's Jeremy Menez, give their support to a claim that two footballers - Omar Rowis, 23, and Mohammed Nemer, 22 - have been detained in Israel without charge or trial.

It was also calling for UEFA to stop Israel from hosting the European Under-21 Championship next year.

The petition also protested the bombing of the Gaza soccer stadium. A reminder of why that stadium was bombed:

I wonder if any of the player has even seen that graphic.

Labels: Gaza, Hamas, soccer, UEFA

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:34 PM