Police hunt for Man Utd fan with ‘Hamas 7’ printed on his shirt

Police have launched a hunt for a Manchester United fan photographed wearing a team shirt with “Hamas 7” printed on the back.

The unidentified man was pictured walking near Oxford Circus tube station in central London on Friday afternoon.

Inviting support for a proscribed organisation – such as Hamas – or recklessly expressing support for one, is a criminal offence under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act.

However, police will make decisions on whether to arrest or charge suspects on a case-by-case basis.

The football fan was photographed by a Jewish passerby, who said he was “very offended” by the man’s shirt.

He also suggested the number 7 could have referred to the October 7 attacks last year – in which Hamas took 250 hostages and killed 1,139 people in Israel.

The onlooker said: “I was walking to collect some shoes and saw this guy, I thought it was pretty unbelievable – no one was reacting or seemed to notice.

“I followed him for about two minutes and took photos, I think he was aware I was taking photos of him but didn’t seem to care.”

‘Really shocking’

He added: “Even if it was his surname, surely he would have been aware of the association.

“The shirt was a Manchester United shirt and looked to be newly printed.

“Wearing the name of a terrorist organisation is really shocking,

“I was very offended, especially as the number 7 could have been in reference to the October 7 attacks.”

Manchester United does not allow political slogans to be printed on shirts sold through official club channels, according to the MailOnline.

The team celebrated its 13th FA Cup Final victory on Saturday after beating rivals Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “On Friday 24 May, police received a call from a member of the public reporting that a man was walking in Oxford Street, W1 wearing a football shirt with an offensive message on it.

“Enquiries are underway to try and identify the man.”