Overview
- Two attendees, Francesca Humi and Chloe Grace Laws, were told to remove or surrender FC Palestina shirts at Lorde’s 16 November concert at London’s O2 or face ejection.
- The O2 said it has no policy banning clothing with social, political, religious or nationality messages, and confirmed Lorde’s shows carried no extra restrictions.
- The venue called the confiscations a misinterpretation of policy with escalation procedures not followed, and said it will review procedures and staff training.
- In emails to the women, O2 executive Steve Sayer apologized, offered to reimburse tickets and expenses, and invited them to another event at the venue free of charge.
- Attendees said staff claimed country-related garments could cause offence and cited Israeli flags reportedly not permitted at an October Haim gig, echoing a similar O2 apology in August 2024 over a ‘Free Gaza’ shirt.