International pressure and comparisons with Russia lead UEFA and UN experts to evaluate suspension of the Israeli team of sports competitions
The Israeli soccer team faces pressure to be banned from international competitions, including, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The proposal gained strength after accusations of genocide, supported by independent rapporteurs, who claim that “national selections from countries that commit massive violations can and should be suspended.”
The Israeli case has been compared to the situation of, which was banned from competitions from and after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In Europe, a majority of UEFA Member States would be in favor of suspension, and the entity’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, evaluates the possibility of conducting an emergency session, including online vote.
The boycott campaign also receives support from the Palestinian Football Association, which intensified criticism after the death of Palestinian player Suleiman al-Obeid, known as “Pelé Palestino”, during an air strike in Gaza.
In Israel, the government and Israeli soccer association work to avoid banishment, which could prevent not only the participation of the World Cup team, but also from Israeli clubs in European competitions such as Champions League and Europa League. “The correct step at this stage is to act responsibly with professional bodies and not issue public statements,” said a spokesman for the Ministry of Culture and Sport, reinforcing that new information will be disclosed throughout the process.
The United States, one of the World Cup host countries, said they will act to prevent any attempted Israeli team’s suspension. A state department spokesman told the BBC that the US will work to “completely prevent any attempt to ban the Israeli soccer team of the tournament.”
UN independent experts, however, point out that boycott should be directed to the State of Israel and not to individual players, avoiding nationality or origin based punishments. The defenders of the suspension include former French player Eric Cantona, who questioned the “double standard” of international football, noting that Russia was banned just four days after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, while Israel continues to participate in competitions despite accusations of war crimes.
The final decision of UEFA and FIFA on the suspension of Israel still depends on deliberation of the executive committees of the entities, which face strong international, political and sports pressure.
Published by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the aid of AI
