Norwegian Football Team Donates to Gaza

Sports have the power to go beyond mere skill, creativity, and entertainment, transforming into an impactful moral message. At the same time, they can also be exploited to incite strife, stir up hostilities, and settle political scores, reducing them to a battleground unworthy of their essence and values.

This dual nature of sports has been on display in recent weeks, as football stadiums across Europe became arenas for unprecedented demonstrations of solidarity with Palestine during Israel’s catastrophic war on Gaza. Fans raised Palestinian flags, chanted for freedom, and made their voices heard in defiance of oppression.

In a remarkable humanitarian gesture, Norwegian football club Bodø/Glimt announced that it would donate all proceeds from its Europa League match against Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv—amounting to approximately $65,000—to relief efforts supporting civilians in Gaza.

The besieged enclave has suffered catastrophic destruction across all aspects of life and essential services due to relentless Israeli bombardment.

According to TRT Arabi, the club shared a statement on its official X account, stressing that it refuses to ignore human suffering and ongoing violations of international law across the world. The statement affirmed that Bodø/Glimt does not engage in political disputes but remains committed to its values both on and off the pitch. The club also extended its appreciation to its fans, who maintained remarkable composure throughout the match despite provocations from Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters. Instead of retaliating, the Norwegian fans responded with powerful messages of solidarity, raising Palestinian flags and banners to express their support for Gaza.

This humanitarian stance by Bodø/Glimt is a testament to the role sports can play in transcending divisions and elevating noble values. It highlights pressing global issues and unites people around the principles of justice and human solidarity—away from political polarization.

Bodø/Glimt secure a 3-1 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Maccabi Tel Aviv has been involved in chaos in European football, with reports of provocative behaviours and misconduct by the club and its supporters surfacing on multiple occasions. These incidents have raised security concerns whenever an Israeli team participates in international competitions. This growing tension reflects a shift in European football, where such issues were once less common.