Over 30 Legal Experts Urge UEFA to Ban Israel From Football Over Gaza Human Rights Violations

More than 30 legal experts have called on the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend Israel and all its football clubs from all competitions, citing severe human rights violations in Gaza.

In a letter sent Thursday to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, the experts argued that banning Israel is “essential,” referencing UN investigators’ findings that Israel is committing acts of genocide against Palestinians.

The letter urged UEFA and its member associations to uphold international law and called for Israel's immediate suspension from football activities.

Citing reports, the experts noted that since Israel’s military campaign began in October 2023, at least 421 Palestinian footballers have been killed. They also claimed that Israel's bombing has “systematically destroyed Gaza’s football infrastructure,” devastating an entire generation of athletes and crippling the foundation of Palestinian sports.

The letter further stated that the Israel Football Association (IFA) has failed to take any meaningful steps to address these violations and therefore should face immediate suspension.

Signatories include Elisa von Joeden-Forgey, Executive Director of the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, as well as former UN experts and international law scholars.