Spanish football club Rayo Vallecano raise Palestinian flag after semi final victory
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- Rayo Vallecano raised the Palestinian flag after a semi-final win in the Conference League.
In Rayo Vallecano's most significant night, winning the semi-final over Strasbourg 1-0. Moroccan forward Ilias Akhomach took the Palestinian flag from the crowd and laid ot on the pitch as the players stood around it in solidarity. He then draped it over himself as chants of "Palestina Libre" rang around the stadium.
What happened
After the win, Rayo players celebrated in front of their Ultras, during which Akhomach went into the crowd to take the Palestinian flag and lay it in front of the players as they all gathered around it. Spanish newspaper Marca reported the gesture as a sign of solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing strikes in Palestine.
Palestine support continues
This is not the first time Akhomach has expressed support for Palestine. During the 2023 Europa League match for Villarreal against the ‘Israeli’ team Maccabi Haifa, he and his teammate stepped back from a minute of silence held by UEFA for ‘Israel’ for October 7
Rayo Vallecano supporters
Rayo Vallecano supporters, in particular, the Bukaneros ultra group, are often known to be left win anti facists who have included pro-Palestinian messages in the past.
The ultras previously acted as security escorting Podemos leaders, lone Belarra and Irena Montero, during a pro-Palestine protest in September 2025.
