FIFA will not interfere with any possible suspension of Israel: 'They are a member of UEFA, they decide that'
Human rights organization Amnesty International recently called on FIFA and UEFA to suspend the Israeli Football Association, after concluding that the country is committing genocide in Gaza . A FIFA vice-president shifted that responsibility to UEFA.
"Any possible exclusion of Israel from international and club tournaments is a matter for the European Football Association, UEFA," says FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani, responding to an appeal from Amnesty International. "Israel is a member of UEFA, and they are in charge of that," says Montagliani, president of the North and Central American and Caribbean Football Association (CONCACAF).
Last week, The Times reported that UEFAwould decide this week on a possible suspension of football teams from Israel. A majority of the executive committee would be in favor, the newspaper reported.
A United Nations panel of experts had called for a suspension after a UN commission of inquiry concluded that the country is committing genocide in Gaza.
However, British media reported that UEFA postponed the proposed vote after US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war in the region was unveiled.
FIFA meets in Zurich on Thursday, where a possible sanction against Israel is not on
the agenda.
