The UK government has drafted a letter encouraging sports governing bodies to “appropriately” acknowledge this week’s attacks in Israel with displays of support for the victims.

The FA has not been officially asked by the government to light the Wembley arch.

Rather than lighting the arch, BBC Sport understands that a message of peace and harmony will be sent before England’s friendly against Australia on Friday.

The FA has contacted Football Australia to confirm that there will be some sort of tribute to the victims before kick-off.

Last year, after Russia invaded Ukraine, the FA lighted the arch in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag in solidarity.

The death toll in Israel from Hamas attacks has risen to 1,200, while Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed over 1,100 people.

The Football Association, Premier League, and individual teams have yet to comment on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

On Wednesday, the FA met, and a decision on how to mark the assaults is due on Thursday morning.

Some attendees warned FA executives that lighting the arch could be contentious.

Senior authorities are said to be concerned about the idea that they are taking sides in the Middle East issue.

On Wednesday, officials from the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) wrote to key sports regulatory bodies, requesting them to show solidarity with victims of Hamas assaults and citing precedents in sport.

“In the light of the attacks in Israel on behalf of the secretary of state we would encourage you to mark the events appropriately in line with previous events where sport has come together,” the letter went on to say.