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Photo: Yoad Cohen
Danish players prepare for match
Photo: Yoad Cohen
Photo: Gil Yohanan
' It is important Israel cancel the game.' El-Sana
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Arab MK: Boycott Israel-Denmark friendly

(VIDEO) MK Talab el-Sana organizes demonstration during Wednesday’s soccer match against Denmark to protest Muhammad cartoons, but later cancels for fear of clashes with fans. IFA chairman Menachem: Politics and sports shouldn’t be mixed; Denmark wins 2:0

(VIDEO) As the fury over the publication of caricatures depicting the prophet Muhammad has begun to cool around the world, in Israel it seems to be picking up steam. MK Talab el-Sana (United Arab List) organized a demonstration in front of the Ramat Gan Stadium to protest Wednesday's soccer game against Denmark, but later canceled the rally for fear of clashes with fans.

 

The game ended in a 2:0 Denmark victory.

 

Al-Sana sharply condemned the Danish team’s arrival in Israel. The first offensive cartoons, which set off riots in Muslim areas around the world, were published in a Danish newspaper. Speaking to Ynet, el-Sana said he had called on Israel’s Arab players, Walid Badir and Abbas Suan, and Arab fans to boycott the game.

 

Danish squad practices before friendly (Footage: Yoad Cohen) 

 

"The game against Denmark exhibits Israel’s lack of sensitivity and consideration for its Arab population," el-Sana told Ynet.

 

“It is completely thoughtless that out of all the teams in the world, the (Israel Football Association) should choose Denmark’s, the leading country inciting against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. The association invited a team whose country symbolizes the extent of the Muslim world’s rage over the insult to the prophet and our religion. I am calling on them to reconsider and not to insist on disrespecting Israel’s Arab and Muslim citizens.”

 

Denmark: We’re thrilled to be here

 

El-Sana said that he spoke to IFA Chairman Itche Menachem ahead of the game: “I made clear to Menachem that it is important Israel cancel the game to show it respects its Muslim citizens. This is not just any Danish league squad, it is the team that represents the country.”

 

The IFA chairman responded that “politics and sports shouldn’t be mixed. In my conversation with el-Sana, I told him that I respect every person and their faith and disapprove of any verbal or other violence against any religion. However, the game was scheduled a long time ago, and the Danish players came to play and not to politick. Anyway, it wasn’t the Danish citizens who published the cartoon, but a particular newspaper.”

 

I have no intentions of canceling the game,” he added. “I asked el-Sana ‘where were you when Iran’s president said Israel should be annihilated? Why didn’t you ask them to be suspended from the Mundial?’ But I also told him I would be against that anyway, because I’m opposed to mixing politics and sports.” "

Despite his decision to go ahead with the game, Menachem voiced his strong disapproval of the cartoons’ publication.

 

“The caricature was completely unacceptable and I am the first one to say that they crossed all boundaries. But people need to understand: We’re dealing with sports, and the Danish athletes aren’t responsible for what one caricaturist did.”

 

Arab player Abbas Suan agreed with Menachem, and disregarded el-Sana’s campaign against the game.

“Politics and sports shouldn’t mix,” he said. “I understand that people are angry, and I’m angry too and don’t want our religion or any other religion to be mocked. But as for the question of whether or not we should play? It’s unrelated. Walid and I are an inseparable part of the team. We represent Israel and there’s no reason not to play. We are obligated to our team,” Suan said.

 

Prior to the game Denmark coach Morten Olsen and his athletes enjoyed the Israeli sun so much that they decided to extend their practice Wednesday morning to enjoy the weather for longer.

 

“In Denmark it’s snowing now. Everyone is jealous that we’re here. Despite all the talk, we’re very happy to be here,” Olsen said at a press conference.

 

“It’s been five months since we were together last, and this game is a great opportunity to prepare for the next Euro qualifying games. I’ve seen Israel play a few times, and it’s a good team. The statistics also show that we’re facing a team that didn’t lose to teams like France, Ireland and Switzerland in the Mundial qualifiers.”

 

”Last time we won 5:0, but I don’t think that’s going to happen against,” Olsen said.

 

Micki Sagi contributed to this report

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.01.06, 17:49
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