RAMS Park sends a Gaza message: "If Jerusalem is not free, the world is captive"

Galatasaray fans displayed banners supporting Palestine in the RAMS Park stands during their UEFA Champions League match against Stuttgart. On the pitch, Galatasaray won 2-0 with two goals from Aleksey Batrakov three minutes apart, raising its points tally to six.

Galatasaray fans sent messages for Gaza and Jerusalem from the RAMS Park stands during their UEFA Champions League fourth-round match against Stuttgart. As the teams came onto the pitch and lined up around the center circle, a giant banner reading "If Jerusalem is not free, the world is captive" was unfurled in the stand behind the goal.

Other banners were also displayed in the stands throughout the match. Alongside the banner in Turkish reading "Let humanity unite, let Zionism disappear," the message "Humanity lost its conscience in Gaza" also stood out among the red-and-yellow supporters, addressing the international public.

'Humanity lost conscience in Gaza' banner displayed in the RAMS Park stands

Attacks continue despite the ceasefire

The banners were displayed as Israeli attacks continued in Gaza despite the ceasefire. In attacks carried out in the region in recent days, many Palestinians, including children, had been killed. Similar scenes have previously been seen in European football; because UEFA disciplinary regulations ban political messages in stadiums, banners supporting Palestine have previously led to investigations and fines for some clubs. It remains unknown whether UEFA will take action over the banners at RAMS Park.

Batrakov scores twice in three minutes

On the pitch, Galatasaray settled the match in the opening 15 minutes. Russian footballer Aleksey Batrakov put his team ahead in the 12th minute and doubled the lead in the 15th minute from Davinson Sanchez's pass. The red-and-yellows secured their second consecutive Champions League victory and raised their points tally to six.

Photos: Social media

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