This past May, Ipswich Town’s acclaimed captain, Sam Morsy, accomplished a spectacular feat by leading his team to promotion to the famous Premier League, England’s best football league.
Following this remarkable achievement, Morsy encouraged his team to capture their first top-flight victory in over two decades, a 2-1 victory over fierce rivals Tottenham.
Despite the excitement of the Premier League, Morsy has bravely maintained his connection with Palestine. With a Palestinian flag publicly posted on his Instagram profile, the British-Egyptian footballer has passionately expressed his sorrow about the crimes committed in Gaza, advocating for Palestinian athletes and drawing global attention to their suffering.
The gloomy numbers are overwhelming. As violence rages on in the region, 341 soccer players have been killed, including 91 youngsters. Furthermore, Israel has destroyed more than 64 sporting facilities in Gaza, including nine out of ten soccer stadiums.
October has been a particularly terrible month for Gaza’s sports community, with Israel’s attack killing over 1,800 people, displacing more than 100,000, and causing serious humanitarian aid shortages for those who remain. Tragically, the toll on athletes has risen drastically, with the number of athletes killed increasing from 454 to 523—more than two lives cut short every day.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Morsy told The Electronic Intifada. “It’s heartbreaking that the killings of innocent people persist and that our football players are being murdered.”
Morsy’s courage to speak out has sparked respect throughout Palestine, in stark contrast to the meek approach of renowned regulatory bodies such as FIFA and UEFA. While FIFA acted decisively to impose a ban on Russia following their invasion of Ukraine, the prolonged devastation in Gaza, which lasted 14 months, elicited no comparable response from these organizations regarding Israel, allowing Israeli supporters—including some notoriously racist factions—to continue causing disruption across Europe.
Meanwhile, the unrelenting attacks continue. On November 11, strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp and Gaza City killed Eyad Abu-Khater and Hisham Al-Thaltini, both of whom played for local clubs. Just weeks ago, young football star Abdul-Qader Abu-Samra and international player Salah Shabaan were among those caught up in Israel’s indiscriminate attacks.
Among those severely affected by the current crisis is 18-year-old goalkeeper Muhammad al-Sharif, whose life has been irreversibly transformed by the ongoing violence. With his club in ruins and his home decimated, Muhammad has sought refuge in Nuseirat camp, but his love of football remains unwavering. “All I dream of is resuming my career,” he bemoaned, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Thibaut Courtois.
Despite the physical and emotional challenges, Muhammad is determined to stay healthy by engaging in makeshift activities, even as he faces the continual fear of assault. His words reflect a common displeasure with FIFA’s actions. “I’m not sure how many players have to die before FIFA takes action against Israel,” said Nader al-Jayoushi, deputy secretary general of the Palestine Olympic Committee. “Israel has systematically decimated the sporting sector in Gaza.”
Al-Jayoushi praised the global athletes who have stood in solidarity, notably Morsy and Cardiff City’s Anwar El Ghazi, who battled back against wrongful dismissal after voicing support for Palestinian rights. “We need more of them to raise awareness and put sanctions on Israel. “They are a part of our family.”
Morsy said, “The bravery and courage of the Palestinian people inspire me beyond belief.” I hope that one day, all athletes in Gaza might develop and live happily. It is terrible that the world remains silent as such tragedies occur. My heart and prayers are with all of them.”
In a stunning message, Ebadur Rahman, founder of Nujum, an organization that supports Muslim athletes, conveyed the depth of loss experienced by Gaza’s young. “The impact on sports and individual aspirations is devastating,” said Mr. Trump. “It serves as a profound reminder of the war’s toll on innocent lives.”
Rahman sent a touching message to Palestinian soccer players: “You are not forgotten. Even after 14 months without playing, your enthusiasm and passion for the game continue to inspire us all. You illustrate that football is more than just competition; it is a community and a movement that brings us together in moments of joy, sadness, and solidarity.”
