UEFA has issued statement on banning Israel from its competitions
UEFA has already released a statement on Israel competing in its international competitions amid fresh calls for the nation to be banned.
Over 80,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Gaza - up until June 2025 - since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023.
The situation in the Gaza Strip has become increasingly dire, with the United Nations' World Food Programme detailing how 500,000 people in the region are 'on the brink of starvation' with humanitarian aid desperately required.
Last Thursday, UEFA released a statement on Twitter surrounding the death of former Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid, but failed to refer to any specific circumstances.
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Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah quoted UEFA's post and wrote: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"
The Palestine Football Association stated that Obeid was killed in an Israeli attack in the southern Gaza strip while waiting for humanitarian aid.
And during coverage of the Community Shield match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace on Saturday, ex-Egypt international Mohamed Aboutrika condemned Israel and called on FIFA and UEFA to ban them from international football.
He said: "There are 760 Palestinian athletes martyred by Israel, including 420 footballers, while 140 facilities have been destroyed.
"FIFA and UEFA stopped Russia over its war on Ukraine. When will the Israeli occupation be stopped? We don't want just words, we want real action.
"France, Britain and Germany are starting to wash their hands of Israel's crimes. This is an occupation, and there is a resistance defending its land. If FIFA and UEFA are serious, they must ban Israel teams; otherwise, they are complicit - as are we if we remain silent."
UEFA has rarely provided a direct comment on Israel's position in international football but did so in February 2024, months into the Israel-Gaza war.
UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said: "There was no such discussions or such intention from the UEFA administration [to take similar action against Israel compared to Russia].
"There are two completely different situations between the two countries. Don't forget the start of the war in Russia and Ukraine and the start of what is happening now - which is regrettable, of course - in the Middle East."
The deaths of children in Gaza was brought to the centre of attention in football prior to the Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham on Wednesday evening.
Prior to the match, UEFA unfurled a banner on the pitch which read: "Stop killing children. Stop killing civilians."
That was accompanied by a social media post, which did not reference Gaza or Palestine.
A UEFA insider (via The Times) stated that the message was 'not political but about humanity - in fact you could say it is just common sense'.
Gaza's health ministry report that 17,000 children have been killed in the war since October 2023.
UEFA invited two Palestinian refugee children to assist with the post-match medal ceremony in Udine.
Their Foundation for Children also announced an initiative to support children in Gaza and other areas involved in war earlier this week.
They stated that the charities involved will be 'providing vital humanitarian help for the children of Gaza', including the distribution of first aid kits, emergency aid and rehabilitation, and care and medical equipment for the seriously injured and disabled.
UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin stated: "Whatever the adults waging wars think they are doing, the children are innocent.
"But, in all conflicts, they are dying every single day and we must do what we can to help those who are trying to make life more tolerable and normal for them.
"Through the UEFA Foundation for Children, we strive to support those who are working to ease the burdens the children carry - helping them find moments of peace and hope, even in the hardest of circumstances."
Topics: UEFA, FIFA, UEFA Super Cup, Mohamed Salah
Ryan Smart