Israel facing World Cup ban calls as FIFA and UEFA receive open letter ahead of Italy clash
The Italian Football Coaches Association (AIAC) has written an open letter calling for Israel to be temporarily suspended from international football.
Italy are due to face Israel next month in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, with the fixture to be held in a neutral location in Debrecen, Hungary.
Israel have thus far not been sanctioned by UEFA or FIFA amid their participation in the Israel-Gaza war, which began in October 2023 following Hamas' attack on Israel, during which nearly 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages were taken.
Over 80,000 people have since been killed in the Palestinian territory of Gaza since the war began, with over 17,000 of those children.
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The United Nations report that the territory is on the brink of starvation, and it has already hit two of the three famine thresholds.
In March, UN experts accused Israel of committing 'genocidal acts' in Gaza - something the Benjamin Netanyahu regime denies.
Some footballing bodies have spoken out in recent months, with the Norwegian Football Federation declaring it will donate all profits from their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel to a 'humanitarian cause' in Gaza.
That fixture takes place in October - weeks after Israel are due to take on Italy.
But the AIAC has written a formal letter to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), which it has urged to be passed on to UEFA and FIFA, calling for the match to be suspended.
The letter reads: "The AIAC Board of Directors unanimously believes that, given the daily massacres, which have also resulted in hundreds of deaths among managers, coaches and athletes ... it is legitimate, necessary, indeed a duty, to place at the centre of federation talks the request, to be submitted to UEFA and FIFA, for the temporary exclusion of Israel from sporting competitions.
"Because the pain of the past cannot cloud anyone's conscience and humanity."
What have UEFA said about Israel?
UEFA have rarely made official comment about Israel's status in international football.
The most recent comment was by UEFA secretary general Theodore Theodoridis in February 2024.
He said: "There was no such discussions or such intention from the UEFA administration [to take similar action against Israel compared to Russia, who are banned from international football].
"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."
What is FIFA's stance?
While the World Cup qualifiers in Europe are administered by UEFA, the World Cup falls under FIFA's jurisdiction.
Israel's participation in football competitions has long been contested by the Palestinian FA, well before the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war.
In 2015, the Palestine FA accused Israel of 'hampering its activities and restricting the movement of players between the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank', with five Israeli clubs competing in Israel's leagues but operating in what are considered to be illegal West Bank settlements under international law.
Back then, FIFA president Sepp Blatter refused to refer the matter to the UN and the PFA eventually withdrew its suspension request.
FIFA, much like UEFA, have rarely provided comment since the Israel-Gaza war began.
FIFA announced last October that it would investigate allegations of discrimination which had been raised by the PFA, but has not yet taken action against Israel.
President Gianni Infantino stated: "The FIFA Council has implemented due diligence on this very sensitive matter and, based on a thorough assessment, we have followed the advice of the independent experts.
"The ongoing violence in the region confirms that, above all considerations, and as stated at the 74th FIFA Congress, we need peace.
"As we remain extremely shocked by what is happening, and our thoughts are with those who are suffering, we urge all parties to restore peace to the region with immediate effect."
Ryan Smart