More than 70 high-profile athletes, alongside leading human rights organizations, have called on the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend Israel from international football competitions due to ongoing rights abuses against Palestinians. The urgent appeal comes amid growing international scrutiny over Israel’s military operations in Gaza and its treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Prominent Athletes Join Call for Action

The open letter, delivered on Tuesday, November 12, 2025, to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, was spearheaded by Athletes for Peace, a coalition of sports professionals advocating for justice and human rights. Among the signatories are celebrated footballers Paul Pogba, Hakim Ziyech, Anwar El Ghazi, and Adama Traore, who have publicly denounced Israel’s actions and called for its suspension from UEFA-sanctioned events.

The letter asserts:

“No shared venue, stage, or arena in international civil society should welcome a regime that commits genocide, apartheid, and other crimes against humanity.”

Human rights groups, including the Hind Rajab Foundation and the Gaza Tribunal, also backed the initiative, emphasizing that Israel’s use of football to legitimize occupation is a violation of international law.

Context: Ongoing Conflict and Rights Violations

Although a US-brokered ceasefire nominally ended the most recent Israeli assault on Gaza last month, reports indicate that Israel continues to restrict aid and target Palestinian civilians. Human rights organizations and United Nations investigators have described the assault on Gaza as genocidal, with more than 69,182 Palestinians killed, including 421 footballers. The conflict has also decimated Gaza’s sports infrastructure, destroying stadiums, training facilities, and youth programs.

The letter highlights Israel’s continued entrenchment in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, practices which the International Court of Justice has called “tantamount to apartheid.” It also draws attention to the participation of clubs from illegal settlements in Israeli professional leagues, a move that contravenes FIFA regulations and international law.

UEFA’s Role Under Scrutiny

The coalition argues that UEFA may be complicit by allowing Israeli teams to compete in European competitions and providing funding to the Israel Football Association (IFA). Past incidents have heightened tensions, including violent clashes between fans of Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv during a 2024 Europa League match in Amsterdam, where chants of hate and attacks on Palestinian symbols occurred.

A recent controversy also arose in the UK when a ban on visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv fans for a Europa League match against Aston Villa ignited political debate. While West Midlands Police cited security concerns based on prior violence, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer opposed the ban, citing the importance of ensuring football matches are safe for all fans.

Historical Precedent and Moral Responsibility

The athletes’ letter emphasizes that suspending countries from football competitions due to violations of international law is not unprecedented. UEFA and other football governing bodies have historically suspended states such as apartheid-era South Africa, post-war Germany, Yugoslavia, and more recently, Russia.

“We urge UEFA to follow international law and moral precedent and suspend Israel immediately,” the letter reads.

By combining the voices of athletes, human rights advocates, and historical precedent, the coalition aims to pressure UEFA to take decisive action against Israel’s participation in international football until compliance with human rights standards is assured.