Italy fans protest Israel during soccer match in Hungary

A group of about 50 Italy fans clad in all black turned their backs in apparent protest during Israel’s national anthem before a Nations League match in neutral Hungary, the Associated Press reports.

The Italy fans also held up an Italian flag with the word, “Liberta” (Freedom) on it. There were black slashes on other banners put up by the ”ultra” supporters.

The same group of Italy supporters who turned their backs during the anthem also chanted against Italian anti-fascist activist Ilaria Salis during the first half, Italian daily Corriere della Sera reports. Salis. recently elected to the European Parliament for the Italian Green and Left Alliance, was freed from house arrest in Budapest in June after facing charges for allegedly assaulting far-right demonstrators.

Italy is slated to host Israel in Udine on October 14, although Udine’s city council has not endorsed the match and a pro-Palestinian protest has been scheduled for the same day in the northern city.

Israel lost the match 2-1.