French authorities investigating fans for displaying anti-Israel banner at Olympic football match

By Seyma Uzundere

ANKARA (AA) – Authorities in France launched an investigation Sunday after people attending the 2024 Paris Olympics displayed a banner protesting the Israeli army’s attacks on Gaza during a football match between Israel and Paraguay.

The fans, who carried Palestinian flags and a banner reading "Genocide Olympics," are being probed for "anti-Semitic" actions.

The match was held at the Parc des Princes Stadium and won 4-2 by Paraguay.

The Paris Organizing Committee for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP2024) filed a complaint, and the Paris Prosecutor's Office confirmed an investigation.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and French President Emmanuel Macron have said that Israel will not be banned from the Olympics, contrasting the situation with Russia.

Macron said that Israeli athletes should compete with their own flags.

France is hosting the Olympics, which will run until Aug. 11. The event, being held in Paris, is expected to attract around 16 million tourists, with 10,500 athletes from 206 delegations participating.

Since Oct. 7 last year, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed 39,324 Palestinians, including 16,172 children and 10,798 women, and injured 90,830 people.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul