UN experts call on FIFA to suspend Israel

Independent United Nations experts have called on FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel's membership over what they described as "genocide" in Gaza, while stressing their rejection of imposing any sanctions on individual players. "Sports bodies must not turn a blind eye to gross human rights violations. National teams representing countries committing gross violations can and should be suspended, as has happened in previous cases," the experts said in their statement. They added that suspending Israel's membership represents "a necessary response to the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip." On September 16, an independent international commission of inquiry commissioned by the United Nations accused Israel of committing "genocide" in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, stating that the goal was "to eliminate Palestinians" and holding the Israeli Prime Minister and other officials responsible. Commission Chair Navi Pillay said at the time that "genocide is taking place in Gaza and is continuing," stressing that responsibility lies with the State of Israel. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also stated that there is "mounting evidence" of "genocide" in the Gaza Strip, calling for serious international action. The independent experts emphasized that the boycott should target the state, not individuals, and that "players should not be discriminated against or sanctioned based on their origin or nationality." They emphasized that countries that host international sports federations, organize tournaments, or participate in them with Israel "cannot remain neutral in the face of genocide." Calls for suspending Israel's sporting membership have grown in recent weeks. During the "Together for Palestine" event in London, former French star Eric Cantona called for the suspension of Israel's membership, recalling FIFA and UEFA's decision to suspend Russia just four days after the start of its war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, "716 days have passed since what Amnesty International described as genocide in Gaza and Israel is still participating." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently proposed banning Israel from international sporting competitions "as long as the brutality in Gaza continues," following the conclusion of the Vuelta a España cycling tournament in Madrid.