Israel may face suspension from European football under growing international pressure. UEFA will discuss the issue soon, raising fears that Israel could face the same fate as Russia in 2022.
Report Suggests Israel May Be Removed from European Football
Israel is at risk of being suspended from European football competitions, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 on Saturday. The report states that UEFA’s executive committee may discuss the issue as early as next week.
If suspension takes place, it could mean Israel’s national football team will be barred from European qualifiers, and clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv could be prevented from competing in tournaments such as the Europa League.
Pressure on UEFA Growing
Pressure on UEFA has reportedly intensified following Israel’s recent strike in Qatar, one of UEFA’s major financial backers. This incident is believed to have increased calls for UEFA to take stronger action against Israel.
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Last month, during the Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham, UEFA displayed a banner reading:
“Stop killing children, stop killing civilians.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, who approved the banner, later explained that he did not want to punish athletes for government actions but admitted that public and political pressure is mounting.
Concerns from Israeli Officials
Israeli officials expressed serious concern, telling Channel 12 that they fear the country is “a step away from being in Russia’s situation.”
Russia was suspended from international football in 2022 after its invasion of Ukraine. Israeli representatives are now lobbying heavily to prevent similar sanctions ahead of next week’s UEFA meeting.
What Happens Next?
UEFA’s executive committee is expected to debate Israel’s participation in European football in its upcoming session. The outcome could reshape Israel’s role in both national and club-level competitions, with global attention fixed on UEFA’s decision.
Read More: TRT World
