Wembley Stadium's arch lit in yellow and blue in solidarity with Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February 2022. PA
Wembley Stadium's arch lit in yellow and blue in solidarity with Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February 2022. PA
Wembley Stadium's arch lit in yellow and blue in solidarity with Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February 2022. PA
Wembley Stadium's arch lit in yellow and blue in solidarity with Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February 2022. PA

Wembley Stadium arch will no longer be lit to show solidarity with countries and causes


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

The UK Football Association has said the Wembley Stadium arch will no longer be lit to show solidarity after terrorist attacks, natural disasters and other causes.

The decision comes after a row over the decision not to light it up after the Hamas attacks on Israel last month.

In future the London landmark, which can be seen for kilometres across the capital, will now be lit only in colours directly linked to the stadium's use as a sport and entertainment venue.

The decision means the FA will no longer have to deal with complex geopolitical issues and make difficult decisions on the arch's use.

In the past, the Wembley arch has adopted the colours of the flags of countries including France, Turkey and Ukraine within days of attacks.

But after the events in Israel and an outpouring of pro-Palestinian activism in England and among footballers, the FA decided against supporting Israel.

During a men's international last month between England and Australia at Wembley, the FA decided to hold a minute's silence to "remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine".

The Wembley Stadium arch in London was lit in blue to thank National Health Service staff during the coronavirus pandemic in July, 2021. PA
The Wembley Stadium arch in London was lit in blue to thank National Health Service staff during the coronavirus pandemic in July, 2021. PA

The move prompted the resignation of the chairman of the FA's Faith in Football network, Rabbi Alex Goldberg.

"I recognise that our decision caused hurt to the Jewish community who felt that we should have lit the arch and that we should have shown stronger support for them," FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said.

"This was one of the hardest decisions we've had to make, and the last thing we ever wanted to do in this situation was to add to the hurt.

"We aren't asking for everyone to agree with our decision but to understand how we reached it."

Match info

Uefa Nations League Group B:

England v Spain, Saturday, 11.45pm (UAE)

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Updated: November 22, 2023, 11:50 PM