UEFA set to decide on Israel suspension amid genocide accusations

UEFA is poised to make a landmark decision next week on whether to suspend Israel from European football competitions, following mounting pressure from member states and a United Nations panel that has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

A significant majority of UEFA’s executive committee members are reportedly in favor of the suspension, marking a potentially historic move. Israel has been a UEFA member since 1994, but the ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked urgent discussions at the highest levels of the organization, The Times reports.

The development follows a declaration by the United Nations Human Rights Office, in which a panel of UN experts called on both UEFA and FIFA “to suspend Israel as a country team from international football, as a necessary response to address the ongoing genocide in the occupied Palestinian territory.”

“Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual,” the UN experts said. “Sporting bodies must not turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations, especially when their platforms are used to normalise injustices. We are clear that the boycott must be addressed to the State of Israel and not to individual players.”

UEFA previously signaled its concern in August by displaying a banner at the UEFA Super Cup that read, “Stop Killing Children, Stop Killing Civilians.” Several European clubs have also asked to avoid matches against Israeli opponents.

A suspension by UEFA would significantly impact Israel's World Cup hopes, potentially barring their participation in qualifiers despite FIFA not yet taking a similar stance. Israel currently sits third in Group I behind Norway and Italy. Norway has pledged to donate any profits from its upcoming qualifier against Israel to humanitarian aid in Gaza, but the match may be canceled.

The US State Department has voiced strong opposition. “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup,” a spokesperson said.

Aston Villa is still scheduled to host Maccabi Tel Aviv on November 6 in the Europa League. However, widespread protests and political pressure could force further changes in the European football landscape.

By Vafa Guliyeva