Chelsea Israeli fans told Star of David banner cannot be displayed at stadium

Chelsea fans have been prevented from displaying a banner that features the Star of David, with the club and the Premier League at odds over who is to blame for the decision that has been branded “anti-Semitic”.

The Chelsea Israeli Supporters’ Club were informed by Chelsea that the fixed banner they have displayed inside Stamford Bridge for the past eight years would have to be taken down after the League issued clubs with guidance not to allow Israel and Palestine flags into grounds following the Hamas terrorist attack.

The group lost four of its members in the Hamas attack on Israel and asked Chelsea whether the original banner, which displayed blue and white stripes and two Star of David symbols, could be replaced with one that only carried the Star of David.

Chelsea raised the issue with the League and claim that they were told that the Star of David, which is displayed on the Israel flag but is also recognised as a symbol of Jewish identity, would fall under the guidance issued to clubs.

But the Premier League insist that any decision was left to Chelsea and they did not tell the club that the Star of David should or should not be displayed inside Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal’s Jewish Gooners group display a banner inside the Emirates stadium that includes the Star of David symbol, which has not been removed by the club or the League.

The Chelsea group’s banner was taken down ahead of the Premier League draw against Arsenal and was again missing for last weekend’s home defeat by Brentford. Chelsea have offered to pay for and make a new banner that will only display the text of the Israeli Supporters’ Club.

But the group have been left confused and upset over the decision not to allow them to display the Star of David, particularly as their original banner sat proudly next to a banner of Chelsea’s Supporters’ Club of Pakistan, which displays the Crescent and Star symbol of the Islamic faith.

Yarin Levi, secretary of the Chelsea Israeli Supporters’ Club, was told by the club that the Premier League had advised them that the Star of David would fall under their guidance.

“It is anti-Semitic,” said Levi. “The Premier League says there is no room for racism unless you are Jewish. Surely it’s either all religious symbols are allowed into grounds or no religious symbols are allowed into grounds.

“It’s super offensive. The Star of David is really part of our identity and it has caused a lot of upset and anger in the group. The club told us the Premier League would not allow it under their guidance, but if the League says something else it is hard to know who to believe.”

Levi was at the Arsenal game, when he spoke to a Chelsea official about the issue, and added: “It felt horrible to see the gap where the banner used to be. The club has said we will get a new banner soon, but it will only have text.”

The Chelsea Israeli Supporters’ Club has almost 200 members this season and is normally represented at every home game. Four members of the group died in the Hamas attack, Chen Buchris and Idan Raz, who were both soldiers, and Alon Werber and Amit Magnezi, who were killed at the Nova rave.

Luisa Gottardo, a committee member of the Chelsea Jewish Supporters’ Group, said: “We are disappointed that the Star of David cannot be displayed on the banner. The Star of David is an important symbol of Judaism, independent of the Israeli flag, and this sends the wrong message that, following a terrorist attack, Jewish people are being asked to hide their identity.”

Gottardo also praised Chelsea’s response to the Hamas attack, adding: “The club has been fantastic since the terrorist attack, checking in on the group and trying to help us to report and stop any anti-Semitic abuse.”

Chelsea have announced that the club will offer free travel to any supporters who wish to make the journey to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Eve. Coaches will be available to take fans to and from the match at no extra cost to their match tickets.

The Premier League have come under fire from fan groups across the country for scheduling Chelsea’s trip to Wolves on December 24.