Zarah Sultana has challenged Liverpool Football Club over a group of commercial partners which campaigners allege are connected to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza or its activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Your Party MP for Coventry South published a letter addressed to Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan and copied to chairman Tom Werner and principal owner John W. Henry.
Writing as what she described as a lifelong Liverpool supporter, Sultana said she was “upset and angry” that the club had been ranked by the campaign group War on Want as having more allegedly “complicit” sponsors than any other Premier League club.
Six Liverpool partners named
Sultana’s letter named AXA, Carlsberg, Coca-Cola, Expedia, Google Pixel and Standard Chartered. Liverpool’s own website identifies those businesses among its official partners.
The MP based her intervention on War on Want’s Red Card report, published in May with support from the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians. The report examines commercial relationships between Premier League football and companies which it says have investments, operations or business relationships connected to Israel and the occupied territories.
Among the claims highlighted by Sultana were AXA’s investments in defence and energy companies, Expedia listings in Israeli settlements, Google’s Project Nimbus cloud-computing contract and financing provided by Standard Chartered to businesses identified by the report.
These are allegations and campaigning conclusions advanced by Sultana and War on Want. Commercial association with, investment in or lending to another company does not by itself establish legal responsibility for that company’s conduct.
“Liverpool has stood on the right side of history before”
Sultana invoked Liverpool supporters’ campaign for truth and accountability following the Hillsborough disaster, arguing that the club should now act on the concerns raised about its sponsors.
“Liverpool FC has always been more than a football club,” she wrote. “Continued association with these sponsors is not a neutral commercial decision. It is complicity.
“Liverpool has stood on the right side of history before. Will it do so now?”
She concluded the letter with the club anthem’s title, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, and requested a prompt response.
International findings and disputed claims
Sultana referred to findings made by a United Nations-mandated commission of inquiry and to the International Court of Justice’s 2024 advisory opinion.
The ICJ found that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory was unlawful and that its legislation and measures breached Article 3 of the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. A UN independent commission later concluded that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza.
The commission’s conclusion is not a final judgment by the International Court of Justice. Israel has rejected genocide accusations as false and politically motivated, saying its military campaign is directed against Hamas and that it seeks to minimise civilian harm.
An intervention far beyond Coventry
Sultana represents Coventry South and has no formal authority over Liverpool FC’s commercial decisions. Her letter was written in her capacity as an MP and Liverpool supporter rather than as part of a constituency matter.
The intervention may reinforce criticism from opponents who believe she devotes too much political attention to overseas causes. However, the publication of one letter does not establish that her constituency casework has been neglected, and MPs are free to campaign on national and international questions alongside their local duties.
No public response from Liverpool FC to Sultana’s letter had been identified at the time of publication. The club and the companies named should be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations made about them.
Sources
- War on Want: Red Card report
- Liverpool FC: official partners
- UK Parliament: Zarah Sultana’s parliamentary career
- International Court of Justice: summary of the 19 July 2024 advisory opinion
- International Centre of Justice for Palestinians: football sponsorship letter
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