Overview

• Speaking at a Together for Palestine event in London on Wednesday, Eric Cantona called for FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel and urged clubs and players to refuse to face Israeli teams.
• He accused football authorities of double standards, pointing to Russia’s rapid suspension in 2022 and referencing Amnesty International’s description of the Gaza situation.
• A UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry reported this week that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a conclusion Israel rejects, and advocates are using the finding to press for sanctions.
• Despite heightened public and political pressure, FIFA and UEFA have not announced any suspension of Israel from competitions.
• Spain’s prime minister said sports bodies should consider whether Israel should continue competing and backed exclusion, while UK MP Ayoub Khan asked UEFA to cancel Aston Villa’s 6 November match against Maccabi Tel Aviv on public safety grounds with no indication of a cancellation so far.