Wembley arch will no longer light up to mark atrocities - after criticism for not displaying Israeli colours
The Football Association review of its policy will see the arch now only lit in colours directly linked to the stadium's use as a sport and entertainment venue
Wednesday 22 November 2023 22:26, UK
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The Wembley Stadium arch will no longer be lit to show solidarity with countries after terror attacks or natural disasters after criticism for not illuminating the landmark in the colours of the Israeli flag after the Hamas atrocities.
Sky News understands the Football Association review of its policy will see the arch now only lit in colours directly linked to the stadium's use as a sport and entertainment venue.
It is understood the arch will also no longer be used to highlight inclusion and diversity campaigns — as was intended in recent years by it being lit in rainbow colours to back LGBTQ+ rights.
It removes the expectation the arch will be lit and the need for the FA to assess sometimes complex geopolitical situations.
Over the years, the Wembley arch has adopted the colours of the flags of countries including France, Turkey and Ukraine within days of attacks.
But the FA decided not to light it in the blue and white of Israel after the Hamas massacres on a string of kibbutzim close to the Gaza border and a large outdoor music festival on 7 October.
The wave of attacks in southern Israel killed about 1,200 — the deadliest day of attacks against Jewish people since the Holocaust — and approximately 240 people were taken hostage into Gaza.
But the unprecedented attack prompted Israel to launch a war to eradicate Hamas — killing thousands in Gaza with concerns about the high number of civilian fatalities.
Against that backdrop — and an outpouring of pro-Palestinian
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