Aston Villa has released a statement in anticipation of their Premier League clash with West Ham United this Sunday at 4:30pm.
The statement from Aston Villa strongly denounces the heinous and brutal acts of violence committed against innocent individuals in Israel and Gaza. The club expresses shock and sorrow over the escalating crisis in the region.
In a gesture of remembrance for all the lives lost recently, we will don black armbands and hold a minute of silence before our upcoming home game against West Ham on Sunday.
Following discussions with the Premier League and other relevant parties, we want to inform our supporters that bringing Israeli or Palestinian flags or related materials to Villa Park is not allowed. Our primary responsibility is to ensure that the fans can enjoy football in a safe and secure environment.
Current safety experts have indicated that permitting Israeli or Palestinian symbols could potentially lead to tense situations or be viewed as provocative by certain segments of our communities. We kindly request everyone’s cooperation in this matter.
