Will Israel Be Suspended From International Football?

The Italian Coaches’ Association has urged FIFA and UEFA to temporarily suspend Israel from international football, citing “a duty to stand with the Palestinian people” and denouncing “the killing of innocents.”

In a letter to the Italian Football Federation, the group said Italy should refuse to play Israel in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September and October.

The demand follows last week’s UEFA Super Cup match in Udine, where banners reading “Stop killing children. Stop killing civilians” were displayed.

“Humanity’s values, which are the foundation of sport, compel us to resist acts of oppression with devastating consequences,” the letter stated. “Too many innocent lives, including athletes, have been lost. Indifference is not acceptable.”

Israel is set to “host” Italy in Hungary on September 8 before playing the return leg in Italy on October 14.