Middle East football associations, led by Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, are calling on FIFA to ban Israel from international competitions due to the conflict in Gaza. Israel has urged FIFA to keep politics out of sport while focusing on qualifying for the 2024 European Championships. A history of boycotts adds complexity to the situation, as the global football community grapples with humanitarian issues and political implications.
A coalition of Middle East football associations is urging FIFA to impose a ban on Israel from international football competitions due to ongoing conflict in Gaza. The proposal, led by Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan and supported by the West Asian Football Federation, includes nations like Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. They have sent a letter advocating for a unified stance against the violence and humanitarian crisis affecting civilians linked to football.
In the letter addressed to FIFA and UEFA, Prince Ali expressed the need for immediate action, condemning the violence against players and the destruction of football infrastructure in Palestine and Gaza. He called for Israel’s isolation from all football-related activities until there is an end to aggression, emphasizing the responsibility of the global football community to uphold human rights.
The Israeli Football Association (IFA) has responded by emphasizing a separation between politics and sports, with hopes that FIFA will disregard the call for a ban. IFA CEO Niv Goldstein articulated their focus on football, particularly their aspirations to qualify for the 2024 European Championships, while wishing Jordan good luck in their upcoming Asian Cup final against Qatar.
Historically, Israel faced significant political issues within football leagues, having been banned from the Asian Football Confederation following boycotts. Although they’ve been part of UEFA since 1994, Israel has never qualified for a UEFA international competition. Currently, they are set to compete against Iceland for a place in Euro 2024, emphasizing Israel’s ongoing engagement with international football despite the political tensions.
The appeal by Middle Eastern football associations to ban Israel from international competitions highlights the intersection of sports and geopolitical conflicts. While they seek to hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes and violence against football infrastructure, Israel maintains a stance against politicization in sports. With historical perspectives on Israel’s participation in international football leagues, the situation remains complex as tensions continue to shape athletic engagements.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
