Colombo – August 4, 2025
Sri Lankan footballer Mohamed Thilham has been fined USD 2,000 by FIFA following his public display of a political message supporting Palestine during a recent international fixture.
The disciplinary action stems from an incident on June 10, during Sri Lanka’s 3-1 victory over Chinese Taipei in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers at Colombo’s Racecourse Stadium. Although Thilham did not participate on the field, he joined his teammates in celebrating the win and lifted his jersey to reveal the words “PRAY FOR FREE PALESTINE” emblazoned on his undershirt.
FIFA, in coordination with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), ruled that Thilham’s action violated its Disciplinary Code, which explicitly forbids political, religious, or personal slogans during matches or related official events. The governing bodies maintained that the display, even after the final whistle, was part of the official match environment and thus subject to regulation.
The fine emphasizes FIFA’s ongoing commitment to preserving political neutrality in football, underscoring the organization’s policy against the use of the sport as a platform for political expression.
Thilham’s fine highlights the delicate balance athletes face when navigating personal convictions and the strict codes of conduct enforced by international sports authorities.
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