Norwich City Removes Inclusivity Ambassador After Call to Ban Israeli Players

Norwich City has become involved in a dispute over antisemitism after a member of its supporter panel and ambassador for the Her Game Too campaign called for the club to refuse signing Israeli footballers. Jessica Pye made the comments on X after reports linked the Championship club with a potential transfer for Israeli international winger Liel Abada.

The 24-year-old plays for Charlotte FC in the United States under former Norwich manager Dean Smith and has been linked with both Norwich City and Birmingham City. Pye, who represented the club in the anti-sexism initiative Her Game Too, wrote that she opposed any signing and called for a blanket ban on players from Israel.

" In further messages, some of which were later deleted, Pye accused Israel of "war crimes" and "genocide" as reasons for the proposed boycott. The Campaign Against Antisemitism condemned the remarks, describing them as a "drip drip of hatred" and calling for Pye's immediate removal from the club's inclusivity panel.

A spokesman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said the comments represented the type of hatred in cultural institutions that the prime minister had addressed in a speech this week. The group added that boycotting citizens of Israel was not only immoral but could be illegal if put into effect.

One supporter called the position ridiculous and said individuals should not be held responsible for the actions of their governments. The exchange took place days after the prime minister spoke about rising antisemitism in Britain following the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green.

He described it as a crisis for all and a test of national values.