Show Israel the Red Card is taking over the footballing world

Show Israel the Red Card is a new initiative from Celtic fans that has been adopted by other football fans the world over. Their social media profile reads:

We are a campaign group based in Scotland, committed to the sporting and cultural boycotting of Israel and supporting a free Palestine.

The action began at the Celtic v Bayern Munich game on the 12 February, where Celtic fans unveiled, alongside symbolic red cards, a banner that read:

show Israel the red card.

Leaflets circulated at the game read:

At the start of the second half, please Show ‘Israel’ the Red Card to send a direct message to Uefa (Union of European Football Associations) and Fifa (International Federation of Association Football) to apply their respective statutes and suspend ‘Israel’ from competition.

By doing so, you will not only be doing the right thing but you will be joining football fans of conscience and courage around the world who will be adopting the same message.

Show Israel the Red Card

Despite Israel’s continued genocide in Palestine, global footballing associations have allowed Israel to continue to participate in competitions. In May 2024, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) called for a ban on Israel’s footballing participation. The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the governing body of international football, have repeatedly delayed a decision.

This cowardly decision stands in stark contrast to Israel, as of November 2024, killing 344 Palestinian footballers. Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans went on a racist rampage in Amsterdam rife with anti-Arab slurs. In October 2024 Gaza football writer Abubaker Abed told Al Jazeera:

More than 50 sports facilities have been reduced to rubble in Gaza, including nine out of 10 of Gaza’s stadiums. Almost every club has been destroyed in this war, while one stadium in Deir el-Balah has been turned into a shelter for thousands of displaced people.

It is inconceivable that FIFA would allow any other nation to kill another nation’s footballers, destroy stadiums, and use threatening behaviour at games without any response. It’s a disgrace that, just like other institutions, they’ve equipped Israel in behaving with impunity.

In encouraging others to join their protest, a statement from a group of Celtic fans read:

We call on football fans around the world who value life, humanity, dignity, freedom, peace and justice to be courageous and to use your platform to stand against the crimes of Israel and stand with Palestine. You can make a stand by adopting to show Israel the red card and by flying the flag of Palestine.

Football is an incredibly powerful tool. If the football world unites to isolate Israel, then other arenas will inevitably follow this example. It is time for both UEFA and FIFA to practice the values which they preach: equality, respect and human rights.

Growing movement

Fans have responded with gusto, with supporters around the world joining the Show Israel the Red Card movement. Drop Site News reported that:

The “Show Israel the Red Card” movement, sparked by Celtic’s Green Brigade, has rapidly spread across 72 teams in 25 countries and six continents. Fans are unfurling banners, displaying red cards, and waving Palestinian flags to protest Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza.

In Spain, Osasuna fans joined together to show Israel the red card:

Osasuna Fans banner yesterday:

“Show Israel The Red Card” pic.twitter.com/JJv7Cr3v5V

— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) February 16, 2025

Malaysian fans did the same:

Malaysian football fans join the global call to show ‘Israel’ the red card. pic.twitter.com/5MUpnGi68h

— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) February 24, 2025

In Sevilla, Spain fans showed out in force:

Incredible scenes at Sanchez Pizjuán stadium as Sevilla fans join the "Show Israel the Red Card" campaign during their game vs. Mallorca in La Liga.

Coincidentally, the phrase above them reads "it's said they never give up"

Football fans are really not giving up on this one 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/m3HCzwsChc

— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) February 24, 2025

Fiery scenes in Chile:

The red card is shown once again in Santiago, Chile – this time by the Garra Blanca Antifascista of @ColoColo pic.twitter.com/XHK3yWbgXK

— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) February 25, 2025

Celtic fan collective, North Curve Celtic, shared news of protests that show Israel the red card in Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia:

The Red Card campaign officially arrives in Morocco with the Los Matadores and Fondo Norte of MA Tetouan.

Morocco now joins Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia in showing the red card from Africa. pic.twitter.com/HslmPUc5XC

— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) February 25, 2025

Quds News Network showed more images including from France and Greece:

“Show Israel the Red Card”

From France to Greece, Morocco to Chile, and Spain to Italy, football fans worldwide are expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people by calling for a suspension of Israel from international competitions.https://t.co/XGCsbDQHF3

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) February 25, 2025

Cork City fans unfurled their own banner:

#CorkCity fans call for #Israel to be sanctioned. The slogan is written in their own Irish language.🇮🇪

The literal translation is 'Card of Red for Israel' ☘️#FreePalestine #RedCardIsrael pic.twitter.com/RJzdsQihZ3

— Football Fans Against Fascism (@Class1Action) February 16, 2025

Cultural boycott

Just as a cultural boycott became a growing movement during South African apartheid, there is clearly a similar need for a cultural boycott of apartheid Israel. Institutions like FIFA have repeatedly shown themselves to be cowards who will not act unless forced to by fans – if even then. The more people who can boycott anything coming out of Israel the better – these football fans via Show Israel the Red Card are showing more backbone than the most powerful people and institutions in the world.

As Omar Al Akkad’s new book states: one day, everyone will always have been against this.

Featured image via the Canary