Budapest: Scottish activists held a solidarity vigil for Palestinian footballers killed during Israel's war on Gaza as Scotland's women's team faced Israel in Hungary.
The demonstration took place outside Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow, where protesters laid flowers, displayed Palestinian scarves and football jerseys, and held photographs of Palestinian players who lost their lives in the conflict. Videos of the peaceful gathering circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to the impact of the war on Palestinian sport.
Thank you to those who attended our vigil for the murdered Palestinian footballers.
— Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card (@RedCardGlasgow) June 6, 2026
While @scottishfa stay silent on another fixture against israel's women's team, Palestinians continue to have their lives destroyed by israel. pic.twitter.com/lIJk9s6cjO
The activists said the event was intended to honour hundreds of Palestinian footballers and athletes killed during the conflict and to highlight the destruction inflicted on the sporting community. They pointed to reports that more than 700 athletes have been killed and over 146 sports facilities damaged or destroyed.
Among those remembered were prominent Palestinian football figures, including former national team player Suleiman Al-Obaid, widely known as the "Palestinian Pele", former striker Mohammed Barakat, and football coach Hani Al-Masdar.
The protest also came days after Palestinian footballers Rand Halawani and Natalie Abu Diyya were reportedly arrested in the occupied West Bank.
Participants criticised international sports bodies, including the Scottish Football Association, for what they described as silence over the humanitarian impact of the conflict. Calls have also emerged for Ireland's men's national team to refuse to play Israel in an upcoming Nations League fixture.
The demonstration reflected growing international solidarity campaigns linking sport and human rights, with activists arguing that Palestinian athletes and sporting institutions should not be forgotten amid the ongoing conflict.