Sevilla striker Fredi Kanoute, a Malian, lifted his jersey to reveal a pro-Palestinian t-shirt after scoring against Deportivo La Coruna in the Copa del Rey today. He was given a booking -- which the ref can shove up his ass -- for making a political statement. When we get world class futbol players doing this, Israel better know it's in trouble with the world (who can forget Ronaldo's Palestine visit and Italy's 1982 World Cup dedication to the Palestinians; I did forget about Abou Trika's t-shirt after his goal against Sudan this year, but QuiQui reminded me).

This was almost as exciting as the basketball game in Ankara between the Israeli and Turkish clubs that had to be aborted because of Turkish protesters in the stands. They threw "shoes, cigarette lighters, water bottles," according to one Israeli player. No phosphorous bombs were reported.

Sports often mixes with politics in interesting ways.

Then again, not all global soccer players support Palestine, such as this "dream team" and the clueless Ghanaian from the last World Cup.

How is Israel going to match this? By getting a Tel Aviv Maccabi player to wear a wristband to support the troops? Or will they just continue to take it out on Palestinian kids playing soccer, as they have in the past (warning: gruesome pictures)?

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites