The President of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, has formally requested that the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) impose a ban on Israeli football teams from participating in various international tournaments. This significant appeal highlights a growing pressure within the global football community regarding ongoing geopolitical events.
Haciosmanoglu’s insistence comes as UEFA is reportedly preparing for its members to vote next week on the potential suspension of Israel from its competitions. The Israeli national team is facing considerable pressure for a prohibition from UEFA due to the escalating political tensions and military actions in the Gaza Strip.
In his letter to both FIFA and UEFA, Haciosmanoglu conveyed strong criticism, stating, “Even though they have announced their own protection structure to be a protector of citizens and peace, the international community and its institutions seem to be too quiet.” He further emphasized, “We observe an increased risk for illegal and inhumane acts, unacceptable in their implementation by the Israeli state over the Gaza area and the surrounding regions.” The letter also referenced a United Nations Investigation Commission report, which concluded that Israel committed acts of genocide during the conflict in Gaza, advocating for the suspension of Israel from international football activities.
In response to international scrutiny, Israel maintains that its military campaign is not directed against the people of Gaza but rather against Hamas militants. This group initiated an attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people.
Conversely, according to reports from health officials in Gaza, Israeli attacks have led to the deaths of more than 65,000 people in the region. These attacks have also caused widespread destruction, famine, and immense suffering among the Palestinian population.
