Those carrying pro-Palestine flags to Pakistan Super League games were stopped from entering the stadium on Monday, a move that appeared to frustrate fans. The guards outside the stadium “acted like I am carrying a weapon,” an attendee wrote on social media.
While PSL’s policies do restrict such posters, the fan said the action was “a political message and may hurt some people.”
The PSL fan, identified as Fayal, was carrying a banner that read “Palestine Will Be Free.” However, she was not allowed to carry it inside the stadium. “This is a political message, it is controversial and may hurt some people. If you want to go inside, you’ve to leave it here,” she told Pakistan news outlet Dawn.
Pakistan has often voiced support for Palestine and has called for “comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question anchored in international law.”
The outlet also quoted a condition printed on the back of PSL tickets. “Posters, banners, or placards, depicting religious, political, or racial discrimination in the form of text or pictures are strictly prohibited,” the ticket reads.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board is still silent on the matter, the case of batter Azam Khan can be of interest. He was fined 50% of his match fees in November for displaying a Palestine flag on the bat. However, PCB later reversed the decision and said the fine had been “reviewed and waived off.”
Video: Delhi's Ahbab FC suspended over match-fixing allegations after viral social media clip