"Play with fury - and free Palestine": unusual call in Poland ahead of Hapoel Tel Aviv's match

Pogon Szczecin owner Alex Haditagi, originally Iranian, published a scathing post against Israel ahead of Hapoel Tel Aviv's match against Katowice in the Conference League qualifiers. He called Israel a 'perpetrator of genocide' and urged players to 'free Palestine'. Football Association chairman Shino Zueres reacted with anger and ordered a complaint to be filed with UEFA.

Pogon Szczecin owner Alex Haditagi published a harsh post against Israel ahead of Hapoel Tel Aviv's match against Katowice in the third qualifying round of the Conference League. In the post, published this morning, he called Israel a 'state committing genocide' and urged players to 'play with fury' and 'free Palestine'. He added that Israel does not deserve rights or legitimacy in UEFA competitions. Football Association chairman Shino Zueres condemned the remarks as 'disgusting, distorted, and inciting' and ordered the legal department to file an official complaint with UEFA. The match itself is expected to take place this evening (Wednesday).