Akhomach explains Palestine flag gesture ahead of Rayo's Conference League final

Ilias Akhomach has defended his decision to display a Palestine flag during Rayo Vallecano’s Conference League semi-final first-leg celebrations against Strasbourg, telling Football España ahead of the final against Crystal Palace in Leipzig that he felt it was simply the right thing to do.

The Villarreal loanee retrieved the flag from the crowd and hoisted it during the post-match celebrations before laying it on the pitch in front of his teammates. The moment went viral, and weeks later took on added resonance when Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal flew a large Palestinian flag from an open-top bus during the club’s La Liga title parade. Yamal’s gesture drew public criticism from Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, though Flick acknowledged the two had spoken about it beforehand.

“I felt it was the thing to do,” Akhomach said. “Everyone does what they think is right. With everything that’s happening in Palestine — I think it’s a scandal, insanity on a global scale. There are people who don’t want to see it, or they’re not interested in it. I don’t get involved with politics, but it’s something that I see with my eyes, that I should stand up for.”

Akhomach has been a key figure in Rayo’s historic run to their first ever European final, but his availability for the showpiece in Leipzig is in doubt. He missed the second leg of the semi-final against Strasbourg as well as Rayo’s final four La Liga fixtures of the season. Despite the extended absence, the 22-year-old is expected to be named on the bench by head coach Íñigo Pérez for the Conference League final against Crystal Palace.