The match between Italy and Israel, valid for the World Cup qualifiers, is scheduled to take place this Tuesday (14), at 3:45 pm (Brasília time), in Udine, an Italian city. However, due to the latest events regarding the war in Gaza, there was speculation that the confrontation might not take place.
With this, the Sporting News answers: will the game happen? Will Italy beat Israel by WO? Understand.
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Will the game between Italy and Israel be cancelled?
So far, there is no indication that the duel will not take place. In recent days, Italy has been the scene of intense pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which criticize the actions of the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip and call for a firmer stance from the Italian authorities.
The conflict in the Middle East, which has left more than 67,000 people dead, turns two years old this week. The scenario of political and humanitarian tension also reached sport: UEFA even assessed the possibility of excluding Israel from competitions, but backed down after the ceasefire proposal.
Despite this, given the climate of tension, the Italian government announced a special security scheme for the confrontation against Israel.
Gattuso spoke about the confrontation
In a press conference last Tuesday (7), the coach of the Italian national team, Gennaro Gattuso, lamented the conflicts in Gaza, but stated that Italy will not stop facing Israel.
– I would like to experience the preparation for such an important game in a different climate. In Bergamo there was a lot of excitement, but in Udine the atmosphere will be heavy. We will have around 5 thousand people inside the stadium and another 10 thousand outside. I understand this, because it breaks my heart to see so many innocent victims, especially children. Still, we have a duty to fulfill. We cannot lose by default – said Gattuso.
Gattuso highlighted that, despite the delicate moment, the team needs to maintain sporting concentration. “It’s a difficult situation for everyone, but we have responsibilities to football and the country,” he added.
Norway protests against Israel
The conflicts generated in Gaza also had repercussions on Israel’s matches against other European countries. The most recent demonstration was against Norway, last Saturday (11), in Oslo.
Minutes before the game, Norwegian fans displayed a Palestinian flag and a banner reading “Let the children live”, while boos echoed during the Israeli anthem.
Furthermore, the Norwegian football federation announced that it would donate all proceeds from the game, which ended in a 5-0 victory for Norway, to the NGO Doctors Without Borders, in support of the victims in Gaza.
Outside the stadium, the protests lasted for a 90-minute march to the arena, with popular support and strong security, the biggest at a sporting event in the country since the 1994 Winter Olympics. More than 20 protesters were arrested, and the Israeli delegation included 16 security agents.
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