- Haq resigns over remark
- Antisemitism suspension, investigations ongoing
- FA criticized for not lighting Wembley arch in Israeli flag colors
Wasim Haq resigned from the Football Association council after saying “Benedikt Netanyahu exudes the pride of Adolf Hitler.” Haq, who was suspended this month on suspicion of antisemitism stemming from a social media post concerning Israel’s conflict with Hamas, reaffirmed that his rejoinder was “the most prudent course of action for the FA and myself” and that his remarks did not target the Jewish community.
Previous Positions and Ongoing Investigations
The resignation was submitted prior to the investigation into the position reaching its conclusion. Prior to joining the FA in 2019 as a BAME Football Communities representative, Haq had been terminated from his position as an independent councillor by the Lawn Tennis Association. An investigation is underway at England Golf, where he occupies a position comparable to that of the FA.
The controversy originated from a post on X by Haq, who had previously resigned from the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board: “While #Palestinians are striving to maintain their equilibrium, Netanyahu has sacrificed his own people to maintain power… Benjamin Netanyahu surely inspires the pride of Adolf Hitler.
Haq’s Resignation Letter and Apology
At the outset, the FA stated that Haq had removed the post and expressed regret for the offence caused. However, the chairman of the FA’s Football Regulatory Committee, Lord Wolfson, urged a more robust reaction. The post was deemed “highly offensive” and “unacceptable” by the English football governing body, which promptly initiated an investigation.
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Haq was suspended two days later by the FA, pending an inquiry. Haq submitted his resignation letter to Debbie Hewitt, the chair of the FA, on Thursday.
He composed, “I regret to inform you that I have decided to voluntarily resign from my position as a member of The FA Council, effective immediately.” “I have concluded that this is the most advantageous course of action for both myself and the Football Association.”
“The most agonising aspect of this process, in my opinion as an individual who has established significant and cherished friendships with numerous Jewish individuals throughout my career, is the knowledge that some of those colleagues and friends may never absolve me for the inadvertent misunderstanding and hurt I have inadvertently brought about. I hereby reaffirm my sincere apologies to them and all individuals impacted.
“The remark I made was in direct opposition to a politician and had nothing to do with religion or race.” The way I expressed those feelings was improper, and my FA leadership has suffered.
Future Plans and Community Engagement
Haq said he wanted to meet with Jews to “exchange ideas and foster mutual comprehension.” He offered to help the FA create a “systematic procedure that will enable us to unite communities in the future.
The FA was accused for not lighting the Wembley arch in Israeli flag colours after Hamas’ October 7 attack. Consequently, the arch won’t be lit for social causes or after natural or terrorist calamities.
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