Colombian fans waves banner after team scores goal in win, leading Israel backers to shout, ‘This is not politics, this is soccer.’
JTA reports that around 4,000 Jewish Argentines showed up to cheer on Israel at their first appearance in a FIFA World Cup tournament in over 50 years, at times chanting songs in Spanish. But their festive mood changed after a Palestinian flag surfaced in the crowd — and after the Israeli team lost narrowly in the final minutes to Colombia.
On Sunday, Israel lost 2-1 in the first match of the first round of the U-20 World Cup, which features the world’s best soccer talent under 20 years old. When Colombia scored its first goal, in the second half of the game — after a first half that was dominated by Israel — supporters in a Colombian fan section raised a Palestinian flag.
Almost immediately, nearby Israel supporters in the stands began shouting at the flag bearer, saying “This is not politics, this is soccer.” Police eventually intervened and expelled the Palestinian flag holders.
Some Israeli fans followed them on their way out of the stadium in La Plata, in Buenos Aires province.
Source - JTA/Twitter - Video source - Brain Villagr/Twitter - Sigol Gantiel/Twitter