Columbus Crew fans allowed to fly Palestinian flag after team signs Palestinian player

By Joshua Davidovich

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21 August 2025, 3:52 pm

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Joshua Davidovich is The Times of Israel's Deputy Editor

Wessam Abou Ali celebrates after scoring his second goal from the penalty spot during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A football match between Portugal's Porto FC and Egypt's Al-Ahly at the MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 23, 2025. (FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Fans of the Columbus Crew soccer team in the United States will be allowed to display a Palestinian flag at home games to pay homage to Wessam Abou Ali, who also plays for the Palestinian national team, the US’s Major League Soccer has announced.

Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, MLS banned the display of any national flags not already displayed in a team’s home venue.

After signing Abou Ali, a Danish-born striker of Palestinian heritage, the Crew appealed to the MLS on behalf of its fan section, known as the Nordecke, to allow the flag to fly at home games in Ohio, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

The MLS decision allows the Nordecke to fly a single flag per nationality included on the team, including the Palestinian flag and a host of other banners representing its international players.

According to The Athletic, the club wants to display the flag in a designated section of its Lower.com Field, a suggestion that is expected to be discussed later today.

Several Israeli footballers also play across the league. The MLS ban on Palestinian, Israeli and other national flags remains in effect elsewhere in the MLS.