Sat Sep 27 04:32:38 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Pressure is mounting on UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel from football competitions due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Turkey has officially called for Israel’s suspension, citing inhumane actions. A coalition of 48 prominent athletes, including Paul Pogba and Moeen Ali, has also urged UEFA to take action. The call for suspension echoes concerns about a double standard compared to Russia’s ban following the invasion of Ukraine. The US State Department opposes a ban, and FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, is considered unlikely to support such a move. UEFA is reportedly considering a vote on the matter.
**News Article:**
**Pressure Grows on FIFA and UEFA to Ban Israel Over Gaza Conflict**
**Geneva/Istanbul** – International football governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, are facing increasing pressure to suspend Israel from all football competitions over its actions in Gaza. Turkey became the first UEFA member to publicly call for the ban, citing “inhumane” actions by the Israeli state.
“It is now time for FIFA and UEFA to act,” Turkish Football Federation President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu wrote in a letter to international football leaders. “The sporting world and football institutions have remained silent for far too long.”
Adding to the pressure, a coalition of 48 high-profile athletes, including soccer star Paul Pogba and cricketer Moeen Ali, released a statement under the banner “Athletes 4 Peace” urging UEFA to “immediately suspend Israel from all competitions until it complies with international law and ends its killing of civilians and the widespread starvation.”
The statement referenced the death of Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele,” who the Palestine Football Association says was killed in Gaza by Israeli forces.
The potential suspension raises questions of consistency, as Russia’s national team was banned by both UEFA and FIFA following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
While UEFA is reportedly considering a vote on the matter, the US State Department has stated it will “absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national football team” from the 2026 World Cup.
Furthermore, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is seen as unlikely to back any suspension, is set to chair a FIFA ruling council meeting next Thursday in Zurich. The outcome remains uncertain, leaving Israel’s participation in future competitions hanging in the balance.
First Piper 