The Simon Wiesenthal Centre (SWC) has called on UEFA, the Union of European Football Association, to impose harsh disciplinary measures on French football club St. Etienne for having let a pro-Palestinian rally during a sport game.

Last week, during a European League play-off between St Etienne and Israel’s Beitar Jerusalem in France the match was preceded by a pro-Palestinian rally.

St. Etienne fans were permitted to wave French and Palestinian flags, while the visiting Israelis and Jewish fans were prevented from bringing the Israeli flag into the stadium.

In a letter to UEFA ad interim President, Angel Maria Villar Llona, Samuels pointed to the UEFA website, “which describes itself as ‘neutral politically and religiously’ - a status now gravely endangered by Palestinian political agitation among local clubs.”

The Centre urged UEFA “to protest the discrimination and delegitimization of Israel in banning its flag.”

“Harsh disciplinary measures must be imposed on St. Etienne by UEFA to show that attacks on fair-play and the values of the beautiful game can not be condoned,” concluded Samuels.

In response to the letter, the UEFA’s Disciplinary and Integrity unit informed Samuels that disciplinary proceedings have been instigated against St. Etienne for several reported incidents during the match, including the presence of illicit banners. The organisation’s Ethics and Disciplinary body is to decide on this case at its next meeting end of September.