The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict has exposed FIFA’s glaring failure to uphold its own statutes and human rights principles, revealing a deeply entrenched pro-Israel bias that undermines the organization’s credibility and moral standing. Despite overwhelming evidence of Israeli violations in Palestinian territories and the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, FIFA has consistently delayed, deflected, and minimized calls to sanction Israel, effectively siding with Israeli interests over justice and the suffering of Palestinians.
FIFA’s Pattern of Delay and Deflection
Since the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) formally requested Israel’s suspension from FIFA in May 2024 due to violations including military aggression in Gaza and the inclusion of clubs from illegal settlements in Israeli leagues, FIFA has repeatedly postponed any decisive action. The disciplinary committee was tasked with reviewing allegations of discrimination, but decisions have been deferred multiple times—from July to August, then October 2024, and beyond—without a clear timetable for resolution. This pattern of procrastination mirrors FIFA’s historical reluctance to confront Israel’s breaches, suggesting institutional protection rather than impartial governance.
FIFA’s Neutrality as Complicity
FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s statements emphasize “due diligence,” “legal advice,” and the pursuit of “peace,” yet these platitudes mask a refusal to hold Israel accountable. While FIFA claims to remain neutral and apolitical, this neutrality effectively translates into complicity, as it permits Israel to continue using football as a tool of colonial expansion by allowing clubs from occupied Palestinian territories to compete in Israeli leagues. This violates FIFA’s own statutes prohibiting competitions on another federation’s territory without consent, yet FIFA has ignored condemnations from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, normalizing and profiting from the status quo.
Double Standards and Political Bias
FIFA’s handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict starkly contrasts with its swift and decisive actions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Russia was suspended from international football promptly, reflecting FIFA’s capacity to act decisively when political will exists. The reluctance to impose similar sanctions on Israel exposes a double standard rooted in political and financial considerations. Critics point to FIFA President Infantino’s recent affinity with pro-Israel political figures, such as former U.S. President Donald Trump, as indicative of FIFA’s alignment with powerful interests that shield Israel from accountability.
Ignoring the Human Cost in Gaza
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where over 41,700 Palestinians have been killed and more than 96,000 injured since October 2023, includes the destruction of over 50 sports facilities and nine out of ten stadiums, erasing generations of Palestinian athletes and sports culture. Despite this, FIFA has failed to issue any meaningful condemnation or support for Palestinian victims. Infantino sent condolences to the Israeli Football Association but notably omitted any acknowledgement of Palestinian suffering or the deaths of young players buried under rubble. This selective empathy underscores FIFA’s political partiality.
Betrayal of Football’s Principles and Legacy
Football has historically been a powerful platform against injustice—such as its role in opposing apartheid South Africa, which was expelled from FIFA in 1976 following international sanctions. Today, however, FIFA betrays that legacy by allowing Israel’s continued participation despite clear breaches of international law and FIFA’s statutes. By prioritizing political and financial interests over justice, FIFA undermines the “beautiful game” it claims to protect and alienates millions of Palestinians and supporters worldwide who see football as a symbol of resistance and dignity.
FIFA’s silence, delays, and failure to sanction Israel amid the Gaza humanitarian crisis reveal an organization that is not neutral but decidedly pro-Israel. By allowing Israeli clubs from illegal settlements to compete, ignoring calls for expulsion, and sidestepping responsibility for Palestinian suffering, FIFA effectively endorses occupation and oppression. This institutional bias tarnishes football’s global image and demands urgent accountability. To restore its integrity, FIFA must abandon its political appeasement, expel Israel from its competitions, and stand unequivocally for justice and human rights on the world stage. Until then, FIFA remains complicit in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
