NWSL's Angel City FC Restricts Non Game-Related Flags Amid Israel-Hamas War - The Messenger
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NWSL’s Angel City FC Restricts Non Game-Related Flags Amid Israel-Hamas War

While Angel City did not directly reference the ongoing Israel-Hamas War in its statement, it is understood that the directive is meant to prevent NWSL fans from displaying banners in support of either Israel or Palestine

Angel City FC will not allow flags, banners and clothes unrelated to its game against the Portland Thorns.Katharine Lotze/Getty Images

Hours before Sunday's NWSL Decision Day game, Angel City FC announced it would not allow flags, banners and apparel not affiliated with that club or the Portland Thorns.

While Angel City did not directly reference the ongoing Israel-Hamas War in its statement, it is understood that the directive was meant to prevent fans from displaying flags or banners in support of either Israel or Palestine.

Earlier this week, the club — which was founded by Kara Nortman, Natalie Portman and Julie Uhrman, with major investment support from Alexis Ohanian — issued a statement condemning "the horrific and heinous actions of Hamas against Israel."

Ahead of the Sunday's Decision Day game, one of the club's supporter groups, PodeRosas, issued a statement that declared "solidarity with the Palestinian people and their longstanding struggle for life and liberation." PodeRosas also called out Angel City's earlier statement for perpetuating "a harmful narrative that to be in solidarity with the Palestinian people comes at the expense of the Jewish people."

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