Italian Coaches Seek Israel Suspension from International Football

The Association of Italian Football Coaches (AIAC), led by Renzo Ulivieri, has called on FIFA, UEFA, and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to temporarily suspend Israel from international football competitions due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the broader conflict involving Israel and Palestine. The AIAC's request, supported unanimously by its national board, cites the killing of more than 62,000 Palestinians, including many athletes, and the destruction of sports infrastructure as a moral imperative to act, drawing parallels to Russia's suspension over its invasion of Ukraine. Italy is scheduled to play Israel in crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and the AIAC urges a boycott of these matches to protest what they describe as acts of oppression and genocide. The Palestinian Football Association has long campaigned against Israel's participation in international football, citing the inclusion of clubs from illegal settlements in Israel's domestic league as a violation of FIFA rules. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has acknowledged the controversy but stated that, unlike Russia, Israel is currently allowed to participate, emphasizing the principle of allowing athletes to compete regardless of political conflicts. This appeal highlights the increasing pressure on football governing bodies to reconsider Israel's status amid escalating violence and widespread calls for solidarity from parts of the international sporting community.