Last week, Palestinian solidarity activists disrupted the Italian national football team’s training camp, demanding the cancellation of an upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Israel. The protest, which took place at Italy’s Coverciano training ground in Florence, was a direct response to the escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip.
This incident marks the latest in a series of demonstrations across Europe, where activists are advocating for Israel’s exclusion from international sports competitions. The protesters’ primary concern stems from the ongoing military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties. Italy was scheduled to host Israel in a crucial qualifier in Udine on October 14, a fixture now under intense scrutiny.
In light of these mounting pressures, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is reportedly reviewing the situation, considering potential measures that could include banning Israeli national teams and clubs from participating in its various tournaments. While the Italian squad and coaching staff were not present at the training facility during the disruption, their schedule was adjusted to accommodate the incident.
Since early October, organized protests have targeted events featuring Israeli sports teams across various disciplines, not just football. Large banners displayed at these demonstrations consistently call for Israel’s removal from international competition. Activists articulate their stance by emphasizing that sports should not be utilized as a platform to obscure or normalize what they describe as violent actions in the Gaza region.
Support for such measures has also emerged from official football bodies. As early as August, the Italian Football Coaches’ Association (AIAC) formally appealed to major international football organizations to temporarily suspend Israel from international competitions, citing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The impact of these protests extends beyond football. Last week, organizers of the Giro dell’Emilia, a prominent Italian cycling race, opted to withdraw the Israeli Premier Tech team from the event due to safety concerns arising from potential protests. Similarly, the final stage of Spain’s Vuelta a España cycling tour was also met with activist demonstrations, where some protesters reportedly caused damage to event facilities while advocating for a ban on Israeli participation.
Furthermore, several national football federations, including those from Turkey and Spain, along with other UEFA members, have collectively urged UEFA to impose sanctions on Israel, advocating for its exclusion from international matches until the conflict in Gaza is resolved.
