South African team Orlando Pirates F.C. on Monday rejected calls by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) group to cancel the friendly match with Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. in Spain. "There is no cultural boycott or boycott of any form by either the South African government, FIFA or the host country that Orlando Pirates can base its refusal to play against Maccabi Tel Aviv on," the team said on their website. "Heeding a call from any other body would create a conflict within Orlando Pirates that would undermine the club’s values and history irreparably.
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"As a club that has its roots in a conflict-ridden South Africa and has been an active participant in the dismantling of apartheid, Orlando Pirates is naturally conscious of the plight of the Palestinian people. Of the many forces that seek a long overdue solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Orlando Pirates stand with those that believe a path exists for men and women of courage to continue coming together to find a lasting solution that South Africa proved to the world can be found when there is a will and courage," the statement read.
The Sea Robbers already jetted out to Spain for the pre-season camp in Marbella, and they are scheduled to face Maccabi Tel Aviv on July 13.
The BDS had pressured the South African club to refuse to play a friendly match with the Israeli team claiming it represents the "apartheid state of Israel.