By Merve Berker
ANKARA (AA) – Before the Women's Euro 2025 qualifier between Scotland and Israel at Glasgow's Hampden stadium, a demonstrator chained himself to the goalposts to protest Israel's military operation in Gaza, according to local media.
The atmosphere surrounding the Scotland-Israel match, which was held behind closed doors due to security concerns, was disrupted when a 19-year-old man chained himself to the goalposts and protested Israel's continued military attacks in Gaza, STV News reported on Friday.
When play resumed, the Israeli team's gesture of holding up T-shirts advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas added another layer of complexity to the match.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered outside the stadium, carrying Palestinian flags and symbolic coffins, reflecting a larger public outcry against the ongoing strife.
Despite the upheaval, the game eventually proceeded 45 minutes later, but not without echoes of dissent ringing through the air from both demonstrators and counter-protesters.
“I think it is cowardly that they have kept us out of our own national stadium,” the broadcaster quoted demonstrators as saying.
“They have silenced us, as fans and as protesters,” they decried.
The STV News quoted protestors calling on: “We should be in there making a noise in front of the television, instead they are keeping us outside and silent.”
“The decision to play the game in an empty stadium was reached following updated intelligence and ‘extensive security consultations’ with key parties involved,” the broadcaster said, citing a statement issued by the Scottish Football Association (SFA).
“Due to updated intelligence and following extensive security consultations with all key parties, the Scottish FA regrets to confirm that the forthcoming qualifier between Scotland and Israel at Hampden Park on May 31 will now be played behind closed doors,” the SFA stressed.
“The stadium operations team were alerted to the potential for planned disruptions to the match and as a consequence we have no option but to play the match without supporters in attendance.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the decision but the safety of supporters, players, team staff and officials is of paramount importance,” it added.
Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
More than 36,200 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, the vast majority being women and children, and nearly 81,800 others injured, according to local health authorities.
Nearly eight months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.
Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in its latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt its operation in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.