The international football governing body, FIFA, has not considered a proposal seeking to exclude Israel from global football tournaments, according to a report by the Spanish newspaper AS.
The publication revealed that the FIFA Council did not include the proposal — submitted by several European football federations, including Turkey and Norway — on the agenda of its most recent virtual meeting. The motion had called for sanctions against Israeli clubs and national teams in response to Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza.
Analysts believe the likelihood of Israel being suspended from international or European competitions remains very low. FIFA is reportedly reluctant to take decisions that could disrupt preparations for the 2026 World Cup, particularly amid the delicate balance between political sensitivities and organizational priorities.
Pressure from UN Experts and Athletes
Earlier on September 23, eight United Nations experts addressed a joint letter to FIFA and UEFA, urging both bodies to suspend Israel from international football, citing what they described as the “ongoing genocide in Palestine.”
Following this, a group of 47 athletes, mostly footballers, sent a similar petition to UEFA demanding that Israeli teams be barred from participating in international tournaments.
In Spain, political pressure has also mounted. Some Spanish officials, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and members of the Socialist Party, have publicly called for Israel’s exclusion, with reports suggesting Spain could even consider withdrawing from the 2026 World Cup should Israel remain eligible to participate.
FIFA’s Response
FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the situation, reaffirming the federation’s stance of neutrality on geopolitical conflicts while emphasizing football’s role in promoting peace.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino said. “Our thoughts are with those suffering in conflicts across the globe. The most important message football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
He added that while FIFA cannot resolve political disputes, it remains focused on promoting football’s “unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian values” worldwide.
For now, FIFA has made no indication that it plans to review or act upon the proposal to suspend Israel from international competitions.
Source:Africa Publicity
