UEFA Weighs Israel Suspension Amid Gaza Conflict
UEFA considers suspending Israel from international football amid growing pressure over Gaza conflict. Israel's participation in international football hangs in balance as UEFA weighs suspension.
“We don't have any indications that we are facing such an act (UEFA suspension)...”
The Turkish Football Federation has urged FIFA and UEFA to ban Israel from participating in sporting competitions. President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu wrote to international soccer leaders, citing Israel's actions in Gaza as “completely inhumane and unacceptable.” This move comes amid growing pressure on UEFA to take action against Israel.
The call for Israel's suspension follows a report by a U.N. Commission of Inquiry concluding that Israel committed genocide during the war in Gaza. Israel has denied these allegations, describing the report as scandalous. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has sparked intense debate in the sports world, with many countries and organizations weighing in on the issue.
UEFA is poised to hold an emergency vote next week on suspending Israel from its tournaments. The outcome remains uncertain, but national federations are facing mounting pressure to take a stance. The United States has expressed its opposition to Israel's suspension, with the State Department saying it will work to prevent such a move.
The Israel Football Association has stated that it is focused on upcoming World Cup qualifiers and doesn't anticipate a suspension. Meanwhile, the Norwegian soccer federation has announced plans to donate profits from ticket sales for Norway's World Cup qualifier against Israel to Doctors Without Borders for humanitarian work in Gaza.
“Despite positioning themselves as defenders of civic values and peace, the sporting world and football institutions have remained silent for far too long,” Haciosmanoglu wrote in the letter, according to the Anadolu Agency.
“Guided by these values, we feel compelled to raise our deep concern regarding the unlawful (and more importantly, completely inhumane and unacceptable) situation being carried out by the State of Israel in Gaza and its surrounding areas.”
A U.N. Commission of Inquiry issued a report this week concluding that Israel has committed genocide during the war in Gaza and calling for its suspension from international football.
Israel has denied committing genocide and described the report as scandalous.
Israel Football Association's Stance on Potential UEFA Suspension
A spokesperson for the Israel Football Association said, “We don't have any indications that we are facing such an act (UEFA suspension),” while emphasizing the national team's focus on upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The association seems to be taking a cautious approach, prioritizing their matches against Norway and Italy over speculation about a potential suspension.
Israel has been competing under the UEFA umbrella since 1991, when the organization permitted the national team to participate in European football competitions. Prior to this, Israel was a member of the Asian Football Confederation but was removed in 1974 after several countries refused to play against them. Israeli clubs began participating in UEFA competitions in 1992, and by 1994, Israel had gained full membership in the organization.
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