News Focus
- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz accuses Lamine Yamal of promoting hatred against Jewish communities.
- The 18-year-old Barcelona forward displayed a Palestinian flag during Monday’s open-top bus parade.
- The incident occurred as the Catalan club celebrated winning the La Liga championship.
- Manager Hansi Flick admits he warned the player beforehand but accepts his right to choose.
- Team-mate Robert Lewandowski also waved a political flag, displaying the Catalan independence symbol.
Israeli officials have strongly criticised Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal following his decision to raise a Palestinian flag during the team’s trophy parade. The 18-year-old Spain international lifted the flag while standing on an open-top bus as the club celebrated their La Liga title win through the city streets on Monday.
Three days after the celebration, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz publicly accused the teenage footballer of “fomenting hatred” against both Israel and Jewish people. The minister’s comments have intensified debate regarding political expression within professional football.
Yamal made no public statements about the gesture, which quickly captured global media attention. During the same parade, striker Robert Lewandowski also displayed a political symbol by waving the Estelada, the flag representing Catalan independence.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick addressed the situation, revealing he had spoken with the young star before the parade began. “Normally, I don’t like these things,” Flick explained. He stated that he wanted the focus to remain on the team’s sporting success rather than political messages. However, the German manager acknowledged that Yamal is old enough to make his own personal decisions.
The controversy follows Barcelona’s domestic triumph, which they secured the day before the parade took place.