Shaair fined for wearing name of Palestinian girl ‘Hind Rajab’ on his face

He was also fined last season over a personal message, which read “Stop The Genocide”.

The NFL policy states: “Throughout the period on game day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience ... players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the league office”.

The league can approve certain items, such as jersey patches, to celebrate anniversaries or memorable events, or to honour or commemorate individuals.

But the NFL will not grant permission for any items on display “which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns”, the rule states.

Al-Shaair, 29, from Florida, is a practicing Muslim who has frequently spoken on the situation in Gaza.

“I feel like it’s something that’s trying to be almost silenced,” Al-Shaair told the Houston Chronicle in 2024.

“On either side, people losing their life is not right. In no way, shape or form am I validating anything that happened, but to consistently say that because of [October 7] innocent people [in Gaza] should now die, it’s crazy.”

Dallas Mavericks basketball star Kyrie Irving swiftly spoke out in support of Al-Shaair, offering to personally pay the footballer’s fine.

“I’ll take care of his fine,” Irving posted on social media.

The Israeli military last month admitted its troops fired on Rajab’s family’s car and said it had ordered a criminal investigation into the killing, which drew international outrage.

Rajab’s body was recovered from the bullet-riddled car in Gaza City days after she was last heard from in a desperate, hours-long phone call to the Palestinian Red Crescent on January 29, 2024.

The Israeli military had previously denied its troops were present in the area. near the incident.

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