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As Israel gears up to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, its national soccer teams are facing mounting pressure, with increasing calls for a ban from all sporting events.
Around the globe, soccer supporters are rallying, displaying banners, and waving red signs urging FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to “Show Israel the Red Card.”
Palestinian social media influencer Ahmed Bdair expressed his surprise at the growing momentum of the movement, stating, “It’s incredible to see this issue reaching such widespread attention and support.”
The initiative gained traction on February 12 during a Champions League match in Scotland, where Celtic FC fans displayed support for Palestinians and called on FIFA and UEFA to ‘show Israel the red card.’
Organizers of the movement cited Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza and the West Bank as key motivations behind their protest.
In a pre-match leaflet, the Green Brigade, an avid supporters’ group for Celtic, accused Israel of genocide, ethnic cleansing, practicing apartheid, and violating international law through its occupation of Palestinian lands.
“We urge football fans worldwide who stand for life, dignity, freedom, and justice to take a stand against Israel’s actions and support Palestine,” the group declared.
The campaign has since extended beyond Scotland to various countries, including Italy, Spain, Belgium, Malaysia, Tunisia, Brazil, and Chile, among others.
FIFA and UEFA have yet to respond to repeated inquiries from CBC regarding these protests.
The demonstrations come on the heels of staggering casualties in Gaza, where Israeli operations since October 7 have reportedly resulted in nearly 50,000 Palestinian deaths, as per the Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Included in this toll are at least 734 Palestinian athletes and scouts, among them 382 soccer players, as reported by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA). The Israeli military claims to have eliminated 20,000 militants, but has not substantiated this figure with evidence.
Israel’s military campaign was catalyzed by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israeli citizens and the abduction of around 250 individuals, according to Israeli official sources.
Israeli Soccer Body Stands Firm
In a response to the situation, the Israel Football Association (IFA) has asserted that its teams will not be discouraged from participating in international competitions. In a statement to CBC News, the IFA acknowledged the existence of significant prejudice and anger directed at Israel, asserting that “no amount of protest signage will alter the fundamental truths of the situation.”
This is not the initial instance where Israel has encountered intense scrutiny in the sports realm following the events of October 7. Notably, there have been calls from protestors, including some French lawmakers and a member of Parliament, urging the International Olympic Committee to bar Israel from the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
Earlier in the same year, a coalition of 12 Middle Eastern soccer federations, led by the president of the West Asian Football Federation, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, similarly implored FIFA to impose a ban on Israel.
The PFA has additionally called on FIFA to suspend Israel, asserting violations of FIFA’s antidiscrimination protocols. FIFA has embarked on an independent legal investigation into these allegations but has postponed any determinations regarding Israel’s suspension.
The conflict has created an atmosphere of mistrust and tension at soccer matches involving Israeli teams. During a recent encounter between Dutch club AFC Ajax and Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv, clashes erupted, leading to multiple hospitalizations and numerous arrests.
Soccer journalist Ronan Murphy voiced concerns about the potential ramifications of the protests on Israeli teams and their supporters, suggesting that they could feel unsafe traveling for matches. “There will always be a level of unease for teams visiting Israeli clubs, and for the Israeli national team playing abroad,” he remarked.
Highlighting the Issue
FIFA and UEFA have not made any formal comments regarding the “Show Israel the Red Card” initiative, something that does not surprise observers like Murphy. “Any response they give is likely to be met with backlash,” he noted.
Bdair expressed a desire to see Israeli teams treated similarly to Russia, which faced an immediate ban from FIFA and UEFA following its invasion of Ukraine. “The impact of such measures can significantly affect the image of a country,” he explained, pointing out that Russia’s presence in international tournaments has been severely diminished.
While he recognizes that a comprehensive ban on Israel is unlikely, Bdair emphasizes that the key objective of the protests is to raise awareness about the challenges facing Palestinians. “What truly matters is that people are informed, and the awareness generated by these protests takes precedence over the need for a suspension of Israeli teams,” he concluded.
Source
www.cbc.ca