An “inclusivity ambassador” for Norwich City FC’s official supporters group has resigned from her role after publicly opposing the club’s decision to sign an Israeli player.
Reacting to the news of Israeli forward Liel Abada’s transfer from the US, Jessica Pye posted on X: “It’s a no from me. You wouldn't sign a Russian, so why sign an Israeli? Ban Israel. No Israeli signings."
Pye also targeted Abada, who currently plays for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer following a stint with Celtic, adding: “While Abada hasn't explicitly made any statement in favour of his country, he also hasn't said anything against it, which does count far more for being in support than not.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA): "It is precisely this sort of drip-drip hatred in our cultural institutions that the prime minister was referring to in his speech this week, calling for action across society.
“Football is no exception.”
But after the backlash, Pye doubled down on her anti-Israel sentiment, posting that the anguish caused was “entirely constructed moral panic, invented by the Zionist lobby and their servile allies in Downing Street and the rapid dogs of the press”.
It comes after Abada, who also plays for the Israeli national team, departed Celtic under a cloud in 2024 following vocal protests against him by pro-Palestine fans.
He held meetings with senior management at the club in late 2023 to try and address the vitriol levelled against him, but was eventually sold to Charlotte FC for £10 million.
A spokesperson for Norwich FC told the JC: “Jess has decided to step down from her role on our Supporter Panel. That was following discussions between the Panel, the football club and Jess."
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