Supporter Waving Palestinian Flag Ejected During Second Half Of Union Omaha Match

*Author’s Note: In the interest of full disclosure, I must state that I have an affiliation with the Omaha Parliament Supporters Group. Due to this affiliation, I will not be providing my opinion or commentary on the events involving Omaha Parliament.

At the time of initial writing, neither Union Omaha nor Omaha Parliament had made a statement regarding this incident. This story has been updated with Omaha Parliament’s official statement. Updates will continue if/when more statements are released. – Updated at 9:30 pm CT, August 4, 2024

On Saturday night during the later stages of Union Omaha’s 2-2 draw against Forward Madison, a fan was ejected from Werner Park for waiving a Palestinian flag on the stadium’s berm.

The fan, who goes by user @Deadunion402 on Twitter (X), is a five-year season ticket member and ardent supporter of the team. In a post to social media, he wrote:

“Ashamed of my club. @Union_Omaha I’ve brought the flag to multiple matches and have never been asked to leave. Kicking out a 5 year season ticket holder for standing against genocide. Dead union is debating on his future presence for the remainder of the 2024 season.”

Following the incident, members of the Omaha Parliament Supporters Group ceased drumming and chanting, and could be seen leaving the supporter’s area. This continued through the end of the match, and through the Unified Series match—an event which Parliament has supported in the past.

Sunday evening, Omaha Parliament released a statement acknowledging the 80th-minute incident and that the options given to the fan were to “put down the flag, or leave peacefully, with the latter action being taken peacefully.”

Parliament continued their statement indicating that “to our knowledge, there is currently no policy or code of conduct that was broken by the member.” Additionally, the statement reflects that this flag had been “brought through security…and had already appeared at several matches earlier in the season”.

Parliament leadership and the Union Omaha front office had conversations immediately after the incident. Those conversations continued today, while more conversations are expected during the week.

A request for a statement from Union Omaha’s front office has been acknowledged, but no statement has been issued.

The USL Fan Code of Conduct (retrieved August 4, 2024) cites:
“The use of language or display of gestures, symbols, signs, or imagery that would reasonably be considered threatening, obscene, pornographic, or discriminatory in nature, including on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, ability, and/or sexual orientation.”

Additionally, Union Omaha’s policy on “Banners and Signs” says that “Fans are allowed to bring small banners and signs as long as they are not offensive and do not obstruct the view of other fans.” The team’s published Fan Code of Conduct does not specifically address flags nor expand further on the topic outside of USL’s guidance.

The flag has become a point of contention since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, but seemingly more so within the United Soccer League over the past few days.

On Saturday morning, the Northern Guard Supporters (@NGSDetroit) released a statement reporting that Detroit City FC had “agreed to comply with CBS’ request to censor supporters ahead of today’s nationally televised game.” This included the “additional restriction on displaying nation or country flags not related to the host country, the playing teams, or the players’ home countries during the broadcasted match”. 

Northern Guard also cited the exposure that USL gives to the DCFC supporters as “the greatest atmosphere in U.S. Soccer,” something that is on display as DCFC were one of two teams (with Oakland Roots) chosen to feature home matches on CBS proper and one of three teams hosting twice on the CBS broadcast family (with Sacramento Republic and Colorado Switchbacks). The group found that “This move is particularly disheartening as it diminishes the opportunity for supporters to showcase the true essence of our unwavering support for the Club we love.”

It remains to be seen how the leagues and clubs will address such forms of protest going forward. What is certain is that this is not an issue that can be expected to go away lightly.