‘Ban Israeli football’: Scholars urge UEFA to bar Israel over Gaza horrors
Key Takeaways
- Over 30 legal experts demanded UEFA immediately ban Israel and its clubs from competitions.
- The call is based on allegations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, citing a UN investigators' report.
- The letter highlighted the destruction of Gaza's football infrastructure and the killing of at least 421 Palestinian footballers since October 2023.
- Signatories accused UEFA of hypocrisy by comparing its swift action against Russia to its perceived inaction regarding Israel.
- The experts argue that Israel's participation violates international law and implicates the Israel Football Association in oppression.
A coalition of over 30 legal experts, including former UN officials and scholars, formally called upon the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to implement an immediate and complete ban on Israel and its affiliated clubs from all competitions. This demand is based on evidence, including a UN investigators' report, suggesting Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The letter detailed the devastating impact on Palestinian sport, noting that at least 421 Palestinian footballers have been killed since October 2023 and that Israel's bombing campaign is systematically destroying Gaza’s football infrastructure. Signatories, such as Elisa von Joeden-Forgey of the Lemkin Institute, stressed that UEFA must not be complicit in 'sports-washing' these alleged flagrant breaches of international law. Experts drew parallels to historical sports boycotts against apartheid South Africa and the recent swift suspension of Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, accusing UEFA of hypocrisy for its perceived inaction against Israel. Furthermore, the letter pointed to Israel fielding teams from illegal settlements in the West Bank, which violates FIFA rules, making the Israel Football Association's participation untenable.
