AN ESTIMATED 1,500 demonstrators took part in yesterday’s peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration in Wales against the backdrop that the Palestinian flag would be seen as a “political or offensive banner” inside Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales hosted Israel in a Euro 2016 qualifier but the build-up to the match was overshadowed by the fact that fans could be handed a three-year stadium ban if caught inside the stadium with a Palestinian flag.

Under Uefa regulations, the Palestine flag is not deemed a political or offensive banner but a decision was made ahead of the match to block Wales supporters showing solidarity with those in Palestine.

They told the Star: “Following consultation with our duty safety officer and South Wales Police and after taking into account the planned demos, we have determined that Palestinian flags will not be allowed in the stadium for their breach our banner policy due to the fact that at this fixture they would be considered contentious.”