14 November 2023 , 11:14
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The Football Association has suspended a council member who said that “ Adolf Hitler would be proud of Benjamin Netanyahu ”.
Wasim Haq, who joined the FA in 2018 to represent BAME football communities, has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation. The FA said in a statement: “The investigation into Wasim Haq’s conduct is underway and he has been suspended from his council duties pending the outcome of the process”.
It comes after he was sacked as an independent councillor by the Lawn Tennis Association for his comments on the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Haq has since deleted his tweet, which read: “Netanyahu has sacrificed his own people to maintain power … whilst #Palestinians are trying to maintain their sanity. Adolf Hitler would be proud of Benjamin Netanyahu."
Haq, who also holds a role with England Golf and describes himself as an “advisor/mentor” on social media, previously denied being anti-Semitic. He wrote on Twitter : “To ensure that there is no doubt I am now aware that a tweet I published yesterday has caused offence.
"My tweet was directly in relation to comparing two individuals who in my eyes have caused contemporary and historical irreparable harm to victimised communities on both sides of this tragic conflict.
Labour MP apologises for branding Israeli government 'fascist' in Parliament
“I am not and never have been the kind of person that targets anyone or any community over any difference ever. I am NOT antisemitic and have never been accused of being so. I unreservedly apologise if this was taken in any other way.
England observed a minutes silence before their Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy last month (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)“Anyone who knows me will know that I stand to be counted on behalf of every community that is being marginalised in any way whatsoever and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. To all those that are offended, I deeply apologise - and I continue to pray for an end to the needless loss of any life during this tragic conflict.”
Lord Wolfson, who chairs the FA’s Football Regulatory Committee, previously told the Guardian : “Taking down the tweet and apologising is the minimum. That is necessary but it plainly can’t be a sufficient response.
“Using the language of Nazism to attack Jewish or Israel is one of the examples of antisemitism by the IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance], and the FA adopted the IHRA in January 2021. I’ve asked [the FA chair] Debbie Hewitt for a formal and urgent investigation. It is something to be treated with the utmost seriousness.”
The LTA’s statement read: “The LTA board considered this matter today and agreed that the tweet posted by Wasim Haq on 11 November was unacceptable and in no way reflects the LTA’s position or values. Therefore the board has agreed that Wasim Haq will be removed from his role as an independent councillor with immediate effect.”