Geneva, September 24, 2025 — United Nations human rights experts have urged FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel’s national football team from all international competitions.
The experts described the move as a “necessary response” to what they called ongoing acts of genocide in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In their joint statement, eight independent UN experts, including Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur on cultural rights, and Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, referenced a recent report released on September 16. The report, published by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, concluded that Israel committed acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and demanded an immediate halt to the violence.
“Sporting bodies must not turn [ignorant] to grave human rights violations, especially when their platforms are used to normalize injustices,” the experts stated. They emphasized that FIFA and UEFA, under international human rights obligations, cannot ignore the situation.
The statement noted that suspending a national team is not unprecedented. FIFA has previously taken action against countries accused of severe human rights violations, setting a precedent for similar measures.
However, the UN experts stressed that any boycott should focus on the State of Israel itself, not individual athletes. “There should be no discrimination or sanctions against players because of their origin or nationality,” they added.