What's happened
Turkish Football Federation President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has called on FIFA and UEFA to act regarding Israel's treatment of Palestinians. UEFA is moving toward a vote to suspend Israel from competitions amid international pressure and athlete protests. The US opposes banning Israel from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
What's behind the headline?
The push for UEFA to suspend Israel highlights a growing intersection of sports and geopolitics. The move reflects mounting international pressure on Israel over its actions in Gaza, with athletes and officials calling for sanctions based on principles of justice and human rights. However, the potential suspension faces significant political resistance, especially from FIFA, where leadership maintains close ties with the US and Israel. The US Department of State's opposition underscores the diplomatic complexity, as it aims to protect Israel's participation in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This situation exemplifies how sports organizations are increasingly being drawn into geopolitical conflicts, risking their neutrality. The outcome will likely set a precedent for future cases where political conflicts spill into international sports, challenging the balance between sporting integrity and moral stance.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has urged FIFA and UEFA to act, citing the inhumane situation in Gaza and calling for suspension. The articles detail UEFA's move toward a vote to exclude Israel, with a majority expected to support suspension, amid protests from athletes like Paul Pogba and Moeen Ali. The US Department of State opposes banning Israel from the World Cup, emphasizing diplomatic considerations. The articles collectively highlight the tension between sporting neutrality and political activism, with FIFA's leadership seen as unlikely to support suspension due to its diplomatic ties, especially with the US.
How we got here
Israel has been a UEFA member since 1994, after being expelled from the Asian Football Confederation in 2004. The country has qualified once for the World Cup, in 1970. The current controversy stems from Israel's military actions in Gaza, which have drawn international criticism and calls for sporting sanctions. UEFA is considering suspending Israel, but FIFA's leadership, including Gianni Infantino, is unlikely to support a ban due to political ties and diplomatic considerations.
Go deeper
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The Turkish Football Federation is the governing body of association football in Turkey. It was formed on 23 April 1923, and joined FIFA the same year and UEFA in 1962.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Paul Labile Pogba is a French professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Manchester United and the France national team.
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Giovanni Vincenzo "Gianni" Infantino is a Swiss–Italian football administrator and the current president of FIFA. He was elected President of FIFA during the 2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congress on 26 February 2016.