Israel Could Be Suspended by UEFA Due to the Gaza War Scandal

UEFA is contemplating the suspension of Israel from international football amid the escalating Gaza conflict, increasing global pressure on sports organizations.

UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, is set to vote on the potential suspension of Israel from international competition amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as reported by sources close to the situation.

Officials with knowledge of the situation indicated that a significant portion of UEFA’s 20-member executive committee is expected to back the initiative, which would bar Israeli national and club teams from competing in events, including World Cup qualifiers. 

In two weeks, Israel’s men’s team is set to compete against Norway and Italy in away matches.

Demands to exclude Israel from global sports are increasing as international criticism of its military campaign escalates. Recently, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for Israel to be banned from international competitions, drawing a comparison to Russia’s exclusion following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Human rights organizations and certain UEFA members have reiterated the call, as banners stating “Stop Killing Children” and “Stop Genocide in Gaza” have been displayed at stadiums in recent weeks.

The discussion is anticipated to extend beyond UEFA. The ruling council of FIFA, comprising eight members from UEFA, is set to convene in Zurich next week to deliberate on the matter. Nonetheless, FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s strong connections with Donald Trump, whose administration has publicly supported Israel, raise questions about the likelihood of the world soccer organization endorsing a ban. The US State Department has committed to opposing any attempts to bar Israel from participating in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Israel’s sports minister Miki Zohar, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and soccer federation president Moshe Zuares are said to be working discreetly to avert expulsion. “The appropriate course of action at this time is to engage responsibly with the professionals and refrain from making statements,” Zohar’s office stated on Thursday.

The matter is becoming more divisive within European soccer. Norway’s federation has pledged to donate ticket revenues from its October 11 qualifier against Israel to aid for Gaza. Meanwhile, Italy’s Gabriele Gravina and Norway’s Lise Klaveness, both members of the UEFA executive committee, have expressed concerns regarding matches involving Israeli teams. However, no European country has outright refused to compete against Israel, in contrast to the extensive boycotts observed against Russia in 2022.

The increasing support for suspension highlights Israel’s escalating diplomatic isolation. A UN inquiry has charged Israel with genocide in Gaza, a claim that Israel dismisses as “distorted and false.” At the same time, demonstrations at UEFA-organised matches, such as last night’s Europa League encounter between Maccabi Tel Aviv and PAOK in Greece, highlight the increasing demand for action from football authorities.