Trump peace plan delays UEFA vote on Israel’s suspension from football

UEFA has reportedly halted a vote on banning Israel from European football after US President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial new plan to end the nearly two-year genocidal war on Gaza. 

The European football body chose to delay the proposed vote on whether to suspend Israeli teams, which came amid mounting pressure from prominent figures in the football world and beyond, in response to Israel's horrific military campaign against Gaza.

Although UEFA never officially confirmed that it was planning to discuss Israel’s exclusion from European football, earlier reports suggested the plans were well advanced and an executive committee meeting could be called at short notice.  

Trump’s announcement of his plan in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday has stalled this measure however, with UEFA appearing to wait to see how the situation in Gaza would develop.

Some senior European football officials had reportedly argued that sporting sanctions against Israel would be ill-timed amid the prospect of peace.

According to Sky News, a number of leaders had hoped a UEFA executive committee would vote on the issue - which many believe would result in Israel being banned from the sport - however, no emergency meeting has been called. 

If the Trump deal fails and the war continues, UEFA may re-examine the possibility of a ban, UK media reported.

The New Arab approached UEFA for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication. 

Many Palestinians have condemned Trump's offer as a 'surrender deal' as it would allow Israeli forces to maintain their occupation in Gaza while disarming Hamas and other factions.

Hamas is still studying the deal and has not yet said whether it would accept, amid reported divisions in the group.

Arab countries are also reportedly unhappy about amendments to the deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to impose.

FIFA VP urges UEFA to address Israel’s role in football

The latest claims come as FIFA vice-president and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani weighed in on Israel’s role in world football amid mounting global backlash over its conduct in Gaza. 

Speaking at a sports business conference on Wednesday, Montagliani stressed that Israel’s participation in international football is a matter for UEFA to address first and foremost, adding that he "respect[s] not only their process but whatever decision they make". 

Israeli outlet Ynet News reported on Monday that UEFA had nonetheless assured the Israel Football Association (IFA) that there were never any plans to hold a meeting this week on whether to ban Israel from European football.

Amnesty International this week joined calls for Israel to be banned, something recently echoed by Norwegian Football Association president Lise Klaveness and Turkish FA president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu. 

The New Arab reported on Monday that major sports stars, including French World Cup winner Paul Pogba and Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech, were among 50 footballers to join the 'Athletes 4 Peace' campaign, which called on the football governing bodies to ban Israel from competitions until it ends its assault on the devastated Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, talks within FIFA have yet to take place, despite the Palestine Football Association (PFA) repeatedly calling for sanctions since April 2024, citing violations of human rights and humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip. 

As of August, at least 808 athletes, including 421 footballers, have been killed since the Gaza war began two years ago, according to the PFA. 

Among the recent victims was Suleiman al-Obeid, one of Palestine’s most prominent players, who was killed last month while waiting for humanitarian aid.  

Since October 2023, at least 66,148 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s brutal war on the enclave, the Health Ministry reported on Wednesday.