Damascus, December 9, 2024: In a symbolic move following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s national football team has changed its uniform colour from red to green, marking a significant departure from the past.
The change comes in the wake of Syrian rebels taking control of Damascus without resistance on Sunday, forcing Assad to flee to Russia and bringing an end to a 13-year civil war and six decades of his family’s authoritarian rule.
The Syrian Football Federation announced the development on Facebook, sharing an image of players wearing the new green uniforms. “This marks the first historic change in Syrian sports, free from nepotism, favoritism, and corruption,” the federation wrote.
Assad and his family have reportedly been granted asylum in Russia. According to Russian news agencies, “President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds.”
The change in the football team’s colours reflects a broader transformation in Syria, as the country looks to rebuild after years of conflict.
