Arsenal F.C. Sued by Former Kitman After Being Dismissed for Speaking Out on Palestine

London, 16 May 2025 — Arsenal Football Club faces legal action after dismissing long-serving kitman Mark Bonnick for expressing solidarity with Palestine on social media. 
With legal representation from the European Legal Support Centre (ELSC), 61-year-old Bonnick has filed a legal claim for unfair dismissal. A lifelong Arsenal supporter, Mark worked officially at the club for 12 years and was self-employed for 10 years prior, serving the club for over two decades before being fired abruptly on Christmas Eve 2024. 

His dismissal followed a coordinated online smear campaign by pro-Israel Twitter accounts falsely accusing him of antisemitism for posts opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza. In the appeal decision dated 14 February 2025, Arsenal conceded: 

“The club has never said that your posts were antisemitic. [The dismissal decision-maker] made no finding on that and nor do I.”  Despite this, the club upheld the decision to dismiss him on the grounds that he brought the club “into disrepute.” 

Bonnick’s legal team argues that Arsenal uncritically accepted the prejudiced, Zionist, and racist views of those who targeted him online, prioritising perceived PR risk over the right to political expression. This, they argue, sets a dangerous precedent — punishing workers for voicing support for Palestinian rights. 

As the UK continues to supply arms to Israel and FIFA refuses to sanction Israel despite widespread calls, workers like Mark are being punished for speaking out. Palestinian athletes are being bombed, stadiums are being destroyed, and entire teams are being lost. Meanwhile, English clubs like Arsenal silence their staff. This case joins a growing list of football-related crackdowns, from Anwar El Ghazi in Germany to Salma Mashhour at Dagenham & Redbridge. 

Support for Mark is growing rapidly from Arsenal fan groups, campaigners, and human rights organisations. They are calling for: 

• A public apology from Arsenal 
• Bonnick’s reinstatement 
• An end to Arsenal’s complicity in censorship of Palestine solidarity 
• Anti-racism training for all club staff  

Comments  

Tasnima Uddin, Advocacy Officer at the ELSC, said: 
“Arsenal didn’t sack Mark for misconduct or antisemitism, they sacked him for standing with Palestine. This is political censorship and part of a wider crackdown on those speaking out against genocide. As Palestinian athletes are killed and stadiums destroyed, football clubs like Arsenal choose to punish staff for opposing apartheid. You can’t claim neutrality while silencing dissent. 
Mark’s case is not isolated. Workers across sectors are being targeted for showing solidarity with Palestine. We must defend our right to speak up — and push back against anti-Palestinian repression.” 

Mark Bonnick said: 
“Israel is an apartheid state. We opposed South African apartheid, so we should oppose Israeli apartheid too. All I did was express sadness, grief, and anger about Israel’s actions in Gaza. Arsenal fired me for raising my voice, and that sends a dangerous message.  
Despite losing my job this close to retirement, I would still encourage other people to speak out. We owe it to Palestinians, and to ourselves as human beings, to oppose racism, colonialism, and genocide. I’ve been overwhelmed by the love and support I’ve received since deciding to stand up for my values and for Palestinians. I regret nothing. 
It’s devastating to see that Arsenal – a club I’ve loved and worked for – have chosen silence in the face of such horror. Why won’t they speak up now? Why is solidarity only allowed when it’s safe and convenient? I’m calling on the club to do the right thing: apologise, reinstate me, and take a stand against anti-Palestinian racism.” 

Franck Magennis, Garden Court Barrister representing Bonnick, said: 
“It is an honour and a privilege to represent Mark Bonnick in holding Arsenal FC accountable for their atrocious treatment of him. He acted with courage and integrity by criticising Israeli apartheid, and the racist ideology of Zionism that animates it. Arsenal have set a chilling precedent, implying that people who criticise this ongoing Zionist genocide risk being unfairly dismissed. Justice must be done, and I urge everyone to support Mark in his important campaign.”