UEFA will vote next week on whether to suspend Israel from European football competitions.
A large majority of the executive committee is now backing the move, according to reports in Spain, despite US pressure stopping a ban earlier this week.
The push follows a United Nations Commission of Inquiry ruling there were “reasonable grounds” to conclude Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Eight UN human rights experts have urged UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel, saying sporting bodies “must not turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations”.
The UN Human Rights Office added a suspension would be a “necessary response” to Israel’s war on Gaza, insisting sanctions should target states, not individual players.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
Campaigners point to Russia’s ban from international football in 2022 after its invasion of Ukraine, warning UEFA against applying double standards.
Protests have also spread across stadiums in Europe, with fans displaying banners including “Stop Genocide in Gaza” and “Show Israel the Red Card”. In August, UEFA itself showed the message “Stop Killing Children, Stop Killing Civilians” at the Super Cup final.
Spain has threatened to boycott the 2026 World Cup if it qualifies alongside Israel, while several clubs have already asked not to face Israeli opponents in UEFA competitions.
Any ban by UEFA could trigger similar action from FIFA, which would end Israel’s qualification bid for the 2026 World Cup and remove clubs such as Maccabi Tel Aviv from the Champions League and Europa League.
US officials, however, are lobbying against the suspension. A spokesperson told Sky News the Biden administration would “work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup”, which the United States will co-host in 2026.