A solemn moment of silence was observed before the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton on Saturday, as players and supporters united to pay their respects to the victims of the Israel-Gaza war. All players, managers, and match officials at Anfield wore black armbands, in an event mirrored across the Premier League and English Football League fixtures over the weekend. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah spoke out against the fighting, urging world leaders “to come together to prevent further slaughter of innocent souls” and using his influence to promote an end to the violence.
The conflict in Gaza began in October when Israel launched a military campaign in response to attacks by Hamas gunmen. Since then, women and children have been among the many innocent victims of the escalating violence. The Premier League and EFL have both expressed their heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families and condemned the “horrific and brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians”.
The Everton-Liverpool game took place on the same day as the early WSL match between Aston Villa and Tottenham, which was also preceded by a period of silence. The EFL, like the Premier League, has expressed its solidarity with those affected by the conflict, saying that “our collective thoughts are with all the innocent people who have lost their lives, as well as their families, friends and all those in communities impacted”.
In a time of great division and conflict, sport has once again shown its power to bring people together and promote unity in adversity. As Salah said, “humanity must prevail”, and we must all work towards a future in which innocent lives are no longer lost to senseless violence
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