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The Frenchman recently called for ‘peace and love’ in the war-torn region (Picture: Getty)Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Amad Diallo carried a Palestine flag around Old Trafford during the club’s end-of-season lap of honour after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.
The Red Devils, who are set to finish second in the Premier League this season, played in front of 10,000 fans as the easing of lockdown restrictions in England allowed for the return of a small section of supporters to stadiums.
United were playing their final home match of the season, though still travel to Wolves on Sunday in their final Premier League game and then Gdansk for the Europa League final against Villarreal.
Pogba held up the Palestine flag as he did his lap of honour (Picture: Getty)It is customary for players to walk around the ground after the match and Pogba held aloft a Palestinian flag as he did so, with youngster Diallo joining him later on.
France international Pogba has already showed his support for the Palestinian people on social media, writing last week: ‘The world needs peace and love.
‘It will soon be Eid. Let us all love one another #PrayForPalestine.’
Pogba is the most high-profile Premier League player to express solidarity with Palestine during the current conflict in the middle east, though he is not alone in his support.
More: Manchester United FC
After Leicester City’s FA Cup victory over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, Wesley Fofana and Hamza Choudhury also displayed a Palestinian flag as they collected their winners’ medals.
Although political messages have resulted in punishments for players in the past – on undershirts for example – The Athletic report that Pogba, Diallo, Fofana, Choudhury and anyone else who displays a Palestine flag will not face any sanctions.
Premier League players will not face sanctions if they display Palestine flags after matches (Picture: Getty)The FA does not punish players for displaying the flags of nations after a game – and, indeed, many wear wristbands in the colour of their country – so the players are free to display Palestinian or Israeli flags if they so choose.
It could be a different story if Pogba displays the Palestine flag after the Europa League final, however, with teams having been punished by Uefa in the past for political messages.
In 2016, Celtic were sanctioned and fined £8,616 for flying a Palestinian flag during a Champions League clash with Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
MORE : John Oliver’s take on Israel and Palestine receiving quite the response
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