Overview

• Istanbul United pulled out and B2B United captain Bilal Kamarieh resigned days before the Sept. 28 kickoff, citing ethics and values in public posts.
• The departures follow the league’s announcement of a new partnership with Coca‑Cola, which has drawn boycott calls tied to allegations involving its Israeli franchisee.
• Coca‑Cola rejects the allegations, stating it funds no military operations and emphasizes corporate neutrality and a long presence in Palestinian territories.
• The Icon League issued a statement expressing regret over the exits, affirming that its focus remains football, and clarifying the deal is a league partnership rather than with individual teams or players.
• Co‑founder Elias Nerlich acknowledged the backlash in a Twitch appearance without detailing next steps, and the league has not yet named a replacement for Istanbul United for the Hannover opener.