Palestinian Flag Waved On Pitch After Morocco Defeat Spain In 2022 FIFA World Cup

The Palestinian flag was waved on the pitch after Morocco defeated Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout and advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

After Morocco defeated Spain 3-0, they became the first Arab nation to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals. After the historic victory, the Morocco team gathered on the field to celebrate, and players raised a Palestinian flag alongside several Moroccans for solidarity with the Palestinians at the first World Cup held in the Middle East, CNN reported.

After the teams drew 0-0 in regulation and extra time, the game entered into a penalty shootout. Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler, and Sergio Busquets missed their penalties for Spain. Morocco won the match after scoring in the penalty shootout and will next face Portugal in the quarter-finals.

This marks the second time Morocco players have raised the Palestinian flag after winning a match. Previously, Morocco's player Jawad El Yamiq raised the Palestinian flag while celebrating his country's 2-1 victory over Canada last week. Morocco's football fans were also seen waving a "Free Palestine" banner during the 2-0 victory over Belgium earlier in the tournament, the Times Of Israel reported.

Morocco is the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the last eight in the tournament. Morocco made the round of 16 once before, at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

However, regulations from FIFA prohibit the use of banners, flags, and fliers that are deemed to be political, offensive, and/or discriminatory inside the stadiums.

"The promotion or announcement of political or religious messages or any other political or religious actions, inside or near the stadium, by any means, is strictly prohibited before, during and after matches," FIFA regulations state.

Prior to this incident, the football authorities have also occasionally issued fines for displays of the Palestinian flag inside the grounds.

This was also the fifth straight time Spain played extra time in a knockout round of a major tournament. The team played 120 minutes against Russia and in all three of its knockout games at Euro 2020.

The flag-bearing move by the Morocco team was hailed by Arabs on social media, as users from Libya, Morocco, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia celebrated the Moroccan win.