Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Italy, FIFA World Cup, FIFA, Football
Ryan Smart
Italy could face a punishment from FIFA after they booed the Israel national anthem before their World Cup qualifier.
Italy secured a 3-0 victory on Tuesday night to effectively end any Israeli hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Israel would need to win both of their games and hope Italy lose both of theirs, alongside a goal difference swing of 15, to qualify for the play-offs.
One of Italy's fixtures is away to Moldova, who have picked up just one point from their six games and lost 11-1 against Norway last month.
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Before their victory, Italy fans booed the Israeli national anthem which was played pre-match.
Over 70,000 people are reported to have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since the beginning of Israel's war on Palestine in October 2023.
A ceasefire deal was agreed between Israel and Hamas - the group who run the Gaza strip - last week, which included the exchange of hostages.
The war began after Hamas invaded Israel and killed around 1,200 people, as well as taking around 250 hostages.
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Israel's attack on Gaza since then was declared a genocide by a United Nations commission, with Gaza also meeting all three UN criteria for famine.
The Italian Football Coaches Association (AIAC) wrote an open letter in August calling on Israel to be temporarily suspended from international football.
Back in November 2021, Scotland were fined £8,024 after a section of their supporters booed the Israel national anthem before their 3-2 win at Hampden Park.
They were also sanctioned for displaying what was described as an 'inappropriate flag', which was believed to have been a Palestinian flag.
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Four years on, it remains to be seen whether Italy will face a similar sanction.
FIFA noted the breach of their rules in Scotland's case as follows: "Order and security at matches (disturbance during national anthems, use of objects - flag - to transmit a message that is not appropriate for a sports event)."
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