UN: Independent experts call for Israel to be suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions

A group of independent UN experts has called for Israel to be suspended from all international competitions organised by FIFA and UEFA, accusing the Jewish state of committing a "genocide" in Gaza. Their call comes amid increasing pressure from civil society, the sports community and even some European political leaders, AFP reports.

• "Sport cannot ignore human rights violations"

"Sports institutions must not turn a blind eye to serious human rights violations," said the three UN special rapporteurs and members of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, according to AFP. They believe that Israel's suspension would be "a necessary response to the ongoing genocide" and stressed that the measure should target the state, not the athletes: "there should be no discrimination or individual sanctions against players on the grounds of their origin or nationality."

• Russia's precedent and accusations of double standards

UN experts cited the precedent of Russia's exclusion from international competitions in 2022, just four days after the invasion of Ukraine. By contrast, Israel continues to participate in European and world tournaments, although on September 16, an international commission of inquiry mandated by the UN accused Israel of "genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza for the first time. This difference in treatment has fueled accusations of double standards against FIFA and UEFA.

• Eric Cantona, an emblematic voice in the call for a boycott

The UN call overlaps with the statements made by former French international Éric Cantona, who was present in London at the "Together for Palestine” concert. "Four days after the war in Ukraine began, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia. We are now 716 days into what Amnesty International calls genocide, and Israel is still allowed to participate. Why this double standard?” Cantona asked, calling for a boycott of matches against Israeli teams.

• Politics come into play: the case of Spain

The reactions are not just coming from civil society. A day after the end of the 2025 Tour de France, marked by pro-Palestinian protests, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez openly suggested excluding Israel from sporting competitions "as long as the barbarity continues in Gaza.” His statement could pave the way for greater political pressure at European level.

• Impact on international football

Suspending Israel would be a measure with major implications, given the participation of Israeli teams in European cups and world qualifiers. Such a decision could reignite debates about the role of sport in the geopolitical context and create a precedent in which the playing field also becomes a space for international sanctions.