Amnesty Calls on UEFA and FIFA to Suspend Israel Football Association
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
LONDON: Amnesty International has called on UEFA and FIFA to consider suspending the Israel Football Association (IFA), arguing that Israeli settlement-based clubs should not be allowed to participate in domestic football competitions.
The human rights organisation made the statement ahead of the start of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, where Israel is scheduled to compete in League B, Group B3 alongside Austria, the Republic of Ireland and Kosovo.
Amnesty’s regional director for Europe, Steve Cockburn, said the organisation believes the continued participation of clubs based in Israeli settlements conflicts with FIFA regulations and international law.
Amnesty said it had previously contacted FIFA and UEFA in October 2025, calling for the IFA to be suspended unless settlement-based clubs were excluded from Israeli domestic competitions.
According to Amnesty, FIFA announced in March 2026 that it would take no action against the IFA over the participation of such clubs. The Palestinian Football Association subsequently took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Israel’s Nations League Schedule
Israel’s Nations League campaign is scheduled to begin on September 24, when the team will face Austria.
The team will then play the Republic of Ireland on September 27, Kosovo on October 1, and Ireland again on October 4. The remaining group matches are against Kosovo on November 14 and Austria on November 17.
The issue has attracted particular attention in Ireland, where the Football Association of Ireland has asked UEFA to consider suspending Israel from its competitions. Amnesty also said several groups in Ireland have called for sanctions or a boycott of the fixtures.
UEFA has nevertheless approved the Nations League schedule. The Ireland-Israel fixtures are set to take place at neutral venues, with security considerations also affecting arrangements around the matches.
Amnesty has also criticised the continued financial and institutional relationship between international football bodies and the IFA, saying it believes this could contribute to the continuation of settlement-related activities.
The IFA and other relevant football authorities may present their own positions on the allegations and legal questions raised by Amnesty. The organisation’s statements represent its position and do not constitute a ruling by UEFA or FIFA.
