To the Football Association (FA), we, at Islam21c, write this open letter to express our concern and disappointment at the recent actions and decisions taken by the governing body with regards to Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury, in contrast to the apparent inaction against and silence regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s Manor Solomon. [1]
Let us be clear, our aim is not to stoke division but rather to urge fairness, consistency, and transparency in the decisions made by respected sporting bodies such as the FA.
Hamza Choudhury
Firstly, regarding Mr. Choudhury’s post, he had clarified his intent — to show compassion for the suffering of innocent people.
Despite this, he has been forced to apologise for others’ misinterpretations. [1]
“From the river to the sea…”
Considering the phrase “From the river to the sea…”, it is crucial to note that this was intended as a call for the liberation and end to the occupation of Palestine, and any nefarious interpretation was clearly not intended.
The FA, as a body responsible for promoting the values of fairness and inclusion, should be wary of interpreting such statements in an extreme manner based solely on the views of one section of the community.
Manor Solomon
In stark contrast, the lack of action or comment regarding Mr. Solomon’s alarming posts on social media raises serious questions about the consistency and impartiality of the FA’s approach.
If, indeed, the FA stands against any form of hate speech or divisive rhetoric, then a balanced approach towards both players would be expected.
Mr. Solomon has made several irresponsible and inflammatory social media posts.
When such incendiary remarks on sensitive geopolitical matters are made, the repercussions can be far-reaching and potentially devastating.
al-Ahli airstrike
The bombing of al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, Palestine, resulted in the needless deaths of hundreds.
Such tragedies require sensitivity, understanding, and above all, an informed perspective.
By promoting the deeply misguided notion that Palestinians are “killing their own people and blaming Israel”, Solomon has exhibited not just ignorance, but a shocking disregard for the lives lost and affected.
Statements of this nature are not just misleading — they are dangerous, potentially instigating further discord and violence.
1947 UN Partition Plan for Palestine
To make matters worse, Solomon’s ill-informed commentary on the UN partition plan has demonstrated a troubling lack of depth in his understanding.
Associating with known Islamophobes, such as Ashley Waxman Bakshi, is reprehensible and further sullies both his personal reputation and, by extension, the standing of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
It’s deeply concerning that Solomon chose to rely on a biased source without cross-referencing facts from recognised international bodies, like the UN or Amnesty International.
In addition, employing such emoticons when discussing matters of life and death is not only deeply inappropriate; it also shows a disturbing insensitivity.
Models of excellence
In a world where hate crimes, both Islamophobic and anti-Semitic, are on the rise — especially in regions like the UK and Europe — it’s incumbent upon public figures to approach their communications with the utmost care and responsibility.
Footballers, especially those in top-flight clubs like Tottenham, should be paragons of unity, respect, and understanding.
Therefore, the FA’s continued inaction or passive response in this situation would be a profound dereliction of its moral duty.
After all, the FA has long championed the values of respect, fairness, and inclusion in the beautiful game, and this situation presents a significant test of those values.
We call upon the FA to urgently review its stance on such matters.
Consistency in approach
The discrepancies between the handling and non-handling of these two situations send an unintended message that the sentiments of some communities are less valid than others.
If the FA’s genuine intent is to create an inclusive environment, it must apply the same standards consistently, irrespective of the cause or community involved.
Furthermore, as suggested by the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, education is paramount.
We urge the FA to invest in programmes that educate players, officials, and fans about the nuances and complexities of global issues, ensuring that football remains a sport that unites, rather than divides.
In conclusion, we at Islam21c, along with many others, expect the FA to be an emblem of fairness and unity in football. We implore you to reflect on these events, to learn from them, and to take steps to ensure that the values you uphold are applied consistently to all players and communities.
With regards,
Islam21c
Source: Islam21c
Notes
