Outrage over arrests of Palestine supporters during soccer match

MANHANDLED, PEPPER-SPRAYED AND DETAINED

- NADIA KHAN

THE arrest of five Palestine supporters accused of public violence during a soccer match, has sparked outrage and condemnation.

On Sunday, pandemonium broke out when hundreds of Palestine supporters gathered as part of the “Red Card Israel” movement at the 2025 African Nations Championship qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Malawi held at the Loftus Stadium in Pretoria.

In response to ongoing human rights violations in Gaza, the global grassroot movement called on Fifa, the sports governing body, to suspend Israeli teams from participating.

The movement draws inspiration from South Africa’s anti-apartheid sporting boycott history.

A video has since gone viral of the supporters clashing with police - who are seen carrying shields as they approached the crowd.

Brigadier Brenda Muridili, a national police spokesperson, said the five accused were charged with public violence, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and malicious damage to property.

She said at about 4.30pm, during the soccer match half-time, a group of about 150 people started protesting.

"Members from Public Order Police approached the protesters to try to talk to them but they allegedly turned violent, and started hurling objects at the police. The police managed to stabilise the protesters and arrested five men."