Calls for Israel's Suspension from International Football Amid Genocide Allegations
Since the United Nations commission of inquiry formally declared that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, there have been increasing calls for the country to be suspended from international football competitions.
Israel's national team is currently competing in the European qualifiers for next summer's FIFA World Cup, while the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv is participating in the Europa League.
A senior figure from one football federation has informed the BBC that numerous nations are advocating for a vote on Israel's expulsion from European football, and UEFA's leadership is inclined to take action.
On Friday, the Turkish Football Association called for Israel's ban from football, and a coalition of 48 athletes signed a joint letter urging for the country's suspension.
The Times reports that a vote could occur as early as next week, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu actively campaigning against it.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has pledged to oppose any efforts to prevent Israel from qualifying for a World Cup predominantly held in the United States.
So how would such a vote be conducted, and what implications could it have?
How Would a Vote Work?
Decisions regarding significant issues in European football are made by the UEFA executive committee, which oversees governance, finances, and regulations.
The executive committee consists of 20 officials from various member states, led by President Aleksandr Ceferin, who has held the position since succeeding Michel Platini in 2016. Sixteen members are elected, while two represent the European Club Association (ECA) and one represents the European Leagues organization.
Emergency meetings of the committee may not be announced to the public, and even after a vote, UEFA typically does not disclose how individual members voted. A simple majority of 11 out of 20 members is required for any decision to pass.
In practice, UEFA usually conducts formal votes only when a clear outcome is anticipated. Any decisions made by the committee take effect immediately, meaning that a suspension of Israel could be enacted without delay, effectively barring the nation from next summer's tournament.
The Israeli Football Association did not respond to a request for comment from BBC Sport.
Who Would Be Making the Decision?
The 16 elected executive committee members represent a variety of countries and their national football federations. Among them is Moshe Zuares, an Israeli who was elected this year. Four members come from countries whose governments have voiced pro-Palestine sentiments, including Spain, Norway, Albania, and Armenia. However, apart from Turkey, no other football associations have publicly stated their positions on Israeli teams' participation in international football.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, head of the ECA, is a powerful figure, also serving as president of European champions Paris Saint-Germain and chairperson of BeIN Media Group, a major broadcasting partner of UEFA. Al-Khelaifi, a former tennis player from Qatar, has condemned what he termed "reckless Israeli behavior" following recent military actions in Gaza but has not publicly addressed Israel's participation in competitions.
His ECA counterpart, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, is the CEO of Atletico Madrid, while Claudius Schafer represents the European Leagues and hails from Switzerland.
Could UEFA and FIFA Disagree?
Any decision made by UEFA to suspend Israel would require ratification by FIFA. When Russia was expelled from competitions in 2022, UEFA and FIFA jointly announced the decision just four days after the invasion of Ukraine began.
However, there is potential for disagreement. Earlier this year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino described his relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump as "absolutely crucial." Infantino even invited Trump to participate in the Club World Cup trophy presentation in July and has left a replica trophy in the Oval Office.
The Trump administration is staunchly pro-Israel and has criticized other nations' recognition of a Palestinian state, making clear its opposition to any plans to bar Israel from the World Cup. The BBC has reached out to FIFA for comment regarding the ratification of a potential UEFA vote but has not yet received a response.
Which Athletes Are Calling for Israel to Be Banned?
A group of 48 athletes signed a statement on Friday urging UEFA to "immediately suspend" Israel from all competitions until it "complies with international law and ends its killing of civilians" in Gaza. Notable signatories include French World Cup winner Paul Pogba and Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure, alongside former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, former Ipswich captain Sam Morsy, and former England cricketer Moeen Ali.
The athletes present themselves as a "united voice of sports professionals from around the world, standing for justice, fairness, and humanity in sport." Their statement asserts that Israel's actions violate international humanitarian law and contradict the principles of respect, safety, and peace that sport embodies. They emphasize that sport cannot remain neutral in the face of injustice, stating, "To remain silent is to accept that the lives of some are worth less than others."
Is Perception Changing at the Top of Football?
UEFA has historically resisted calls to exclude Israel from its competitions, with Ceferin expressing opposition to such bans in August, stating that all athletes should have the opportunity to compete and that other issues should be addressed differently.
However, UEFA faced significant backlash, including from Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, after it posted about Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid on social media without addressing the circumstances of his death, which the Palestinian Football Association attributed to an Israeli attack while he awaited humanitarian aid in Gaza.
The Palestinian Football Association has reported that 421 footballers have been killed or have died from starvation in Gaza, including 103 children. Subsequently, UEFA displayed banners at the Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham in Italy in August, reading "Stop killing children" and "Stop killing civilians."