AFL blames “incorrect interpretations” for Israeli flag ban confusion

The AFL has been forced to apologise over an email claiming the Israeli flag was banned after a young footy fan flew it during a game to support Jewish star Harry Sheezel.

The AFL has been forced to apologise over an email sent by a staff member pushing the ban of the Israeli flag after a young footy fan flew it during a Round 1 match.

Proud member of the Jewish community Josh displayed the flag behind the goals at the North Melbourne and West Coast Eagles clash at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

The flag, which features the Star of David, was flown in support of Jewish young gun Harry Sheezel.

According to SEN, AFL security lead Alistair Meldrum sent an email to a supporter stating the flag should not have been allowed in the stadium after they complained.

“Once identified, it should then have been requested to be seized/confiscated or the patron in possession requested to leave if they refused to surrender the flag,” he said.

“This has been communicated to MSL Venue Management.”

But the league apologised for the email on Wednesday afternoon.

Josh was stoked the AFL apologised for the email sent by a staff member. Picture: Jason Edwards

In a statement to the Herald Sun, an AFL spokesman said the email sent by a staff member was an “incorrect interpretation” of its conditions.

“For clarity, the AFL has no issue with the flag and signs supporting North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel on the weekend,” he said.

“Correspondence sent to a patron that had an issue with the flag being displayed was an incorrect interpretation of our conditions of match day entry policy and we apologise for any confusion.”

The spokesman said the league supports national flags being flown at games.

“An AFL match day is a place for everyone, we want fans to celebrate their clubs and players, and if that includes displaying national flags that amplify any of their team’s player heritage then the AFL is fully supportive,” he said.

“We should celebrate our players and the game any chance we get.

“The AFL conditions of entry policy in place, that among other things, regulates signage, flags and banners brought into our venues that have commercial and political messages.

“The AFL and our venues enforce this policy where appropriate.

“The AFL is proud of our diverse and wide-ranging backgrounds, faiths, and origins of all our players and encourage fans to continue to celebrate it accordingly.”

Harry Sheezel is the AFL’s only Jewish player. Photo: Daniel Pockett

The Israeli flag features a Star of David. Picture: Ahmed Gharabli

Footy fan Josh, who flew the flag proudly on Saturday, said he was “stoked” to hear the flag was not banned, but said the AFL needed to “think before they speak”.

“I was very upset, very disappointed because I was not the only one with a flag,” he said.

“But I’m very happy to hear I can take it to the footy. I’ll be waving it higher than ever.”

Josh’s father Gary said he was happy to hear the AFL had clarified all national flags were allowed but said the league had opened up a can of worms.

“What’s their stance on the Russian flag?” he said.

“Can you ban it at the tennis but not at the football?”

Gary said a lot of Jewish people, including himself, wear the Star of David.

“It’s just like Christians wear a cross,” he said.

“Is that now going to be an offensive symbol?”

Josh flew the Israeli flag behind the goals at the North Melbourne and West Coast Eagles on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

Zionism Victoria president Yossi Goldfarb welcomed the decision by the AFL, saying the “reassurance will come as a great relief to all Jewish AFL fans, in particular North Melbourne supporters”.

“As a community, we’re as passionate about our footy as we are about Israel. We also love Harry and we’re thrilled that everyone can publicly celebrate all aspects of the game and its players, including their heritage,” he said.

Sheezel had more than 45 family and friends in the crowd for his AFL debut and told the Herald Sun on Monday that he had also felt the support of the wider Jewish community.

“I heard a lot of people in the crowd from the community and I saw some posters and things like that which definitely made me feel supported,” he said.

The 18-year-old had been hit with anti-Semitic abuse on social media in the days leading up to the AFL national draft last November.

“I’ve put that stuff behind me, the nasty comments from the draft time,” Sheezel said.

“I’m just trying to focus on my footy and that’s what I’ve done and it’s been all good since.”