Sport, Politics, and Protests in Spain

 Spain’s Sports Minister Pilar Alegría recently argued that Israeli teams should be banned from international competitions, just like Russian teams were banned in 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine. She said there is a “double standard” because Russia faced sporting consequences, while Israel has not.

Her comments came during Spain’s most famous cycling race, the Vuelta a España, where the Israeli team Israel-Premier Tech faced protests. Some stages of the race were shortened because of demonstrations. Alegría explained that sport cannot be separated from politics, especially when thousands of civilians are being killed in Gaza.

At the same time, a second controversy appeared in Spanish football. During a match between Sevilla and Villarreal, some Sevilla fans chanted “Israel murders” at Israeli player Manor Solomon, who scored the winning goal. Fans also waved Palestinian flags and a supporters’ group said there was “no space for Zionists” in their stadium.

The Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain condemned the insults as antisemitism and called for respect and coexistence. Solomon himself has previously shared social media posts in support of the Israeli military.

Meanwhile, international criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza continues. According to the Gaza health ministry, more than 65,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since October 2023, when Israel launched an offensive after a Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel.

Socialist leader Sánchez has been one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

He is the most senior European leader to refer to the war as a "genocide", and in May of last year broke with European allies by recognising a Palestinian state.

Israel has since had no ambassador in Madrid, which recalled its own ambassador to Israel on Monday after Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Spain of waging an "anti-Israel and antisemitic campaign".

1.Vocabulary Match 

  1. ban — a group of parties working together in government

  2. invasion — violent action against a group of people

  3. offensive — forbid, stop officially

  4. genocide — violent entry into a place or country

  5. double standard — people not in the army or police

  6. neutral flag — demonstration against something

  7. protests — killing of a large group of people, often based on identity

  8. massacre — not taking sides, no symbol of nationality

  9. coalition — military attack or campaign

  10. retaliation — unfair treatment where two cases are judged differently

  11. civilians — attack in return for another attack

  12. antisemitism — hatred or discrimination against Jewish people

2.Synonym Match  

  1. protests — ordinary people

  2. offensive — slaughter

  3. ban — alliance

  4. civilians — hatred of Jews

  5. coalition — demonstration

  6. invasion — unfairness

  7. massacre — attack

  8. antisemitism — forbid

  9. retaliation — military attack

  10. double standard — revenge


3.Communicative / Role Play Activities

A. Role Play Debate

  • Minister Alegría: Argues Israel should be banned from international sport.

  • Jewish community spokesperson: Condemns antisemitic chants, defends players’ right to compete.

  • Sevilla fan: Explains reasons for protesting at the stadium.

  • Neutral journalist: Moderates and asks critical questions.

B. Discussion Prompts

  • Should fans be allowed to use stadiums for political protest?

  • Is banning teams for political reasons fair?

  • How should clubs respond to racist or antisemitic chants?

  • Can sport ever be free of politics?

C. “Opinion Corners” Activity

Choose one of these options and explain why

  • Sport and politics should always be separate.

  • Sport and politics are naturally connected.

  • Protests in sport are acceptable.

  • Protests in sport are unacceptable.
     

D. Problem-Solving Task

In groups, students are the Spanish Football Federation. They must decide:

  • Should Sevilla be punished for fan chants?

  • Should players who post about the conflict face sanctions?

  • How can Spanish football balance free speech, safety, and respect?

4.Comprehension Questions  

  1. What comparison did Pilar Alegría make between Israel and Russia?

  2. Why has the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team faced protests in Spain?

  3. How were some stages of the Vuelta a España affected?

  4. What did Alegría say about the connection between sport and politics?

  5. What happened to Villarreal player Manor Solomon during the Sevilla match?

  6. How did the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain respond?

  7. What has Solomon shared on social media regarding Israel?

  8. How many people were killed in the Hamas attack in October 2023?

  9. According to Gaza’s health ministry, how many Palestinians have been killed since then?

  10. Why is sport becoming a stage for political expression in Spain?

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