Cardiff City resists petition to boycott Israeli match

Cardiff’s decision to ignore the anti-Israel campaign was vindication for grassroots group North West Friends of Israel, whose counter-petition received more than 220 signatures.

Anthony Dennison, the organisation’s co-chair, said the decision was “a victory for common sense”.

“Politics should not be brought into football, or any sport for that matter,” he said. “We are delighted that Cardiff City have chosen to ignore the ridiculous notion that not playing an Israeli football team will somehow help the Palestinian people.

“This is part of the BDS’s continued, unwarranted attacks on Israel , which are fuelled by antisemitism rather than a desire to help the Palestinian people caught in a conflict.”

Israel will play a European Championships qualifier against Wales in Cardiff on September 6, after Gareth Bale scored twice to help beat Israel 3-0 in March.