FIFA has been under fire from Palestinian football players, officials, and fans for not taking action against Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost, including many children, and the outcry from Palestinians and their supporters has been growing as they urge the governing body of international football to hold Israel accountable.
Comparisons have been made to FIFA’s immediate and decisive action in banning Russia and Russian football clubs from international competitions when Russia invaded Ukraine. Despite being strong contenders in the playoffs for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, Russia was swiftly eliminated by FIFA following their invasion, a decision that was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FIFA has remained silent on the issue of Israel’s involvement in the conflict in Gaza, despite multiple requests for comment from Al Jazeera. The demand for FIFA to address Israel’s actions and potential consequences in the world of football continues to gain momentum, with many advocating for the banning of Israel’s football team as a form of accountability. The match between Iceland and Israel in the Euro 2024 qualifiers held on neutral ground in Budapest due to ongoing conflict further intensified this demand.
