Uefa has decided to delay plans to ban Israel from European football competitions following the announcement of Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for the Middle East. This decision has put a temporary hold on the growing debate regarding Israel’s participation in international football events.
In recent weeks, there had been increasing pressure within football circles, as well as from outside organizations like the United Nations, calling for action against Israel in response to its ongoing conflict with Gaza. Some national football federations had expressed support for a ban, and there were indications that Uefa was considering an extraordinary meeting of its executive committee to discuss the issue.
However, with Trump unveiling his peace proposal in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Uefa decided to pause any potential measures. The Trump plan has been met with mixed reactions, with some European leaders, including the UK’s Keir Starmer, France’s president, and Germany’s chancellor, offering their support. The plan has also garnered backing from countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, among others.
While Uefa did not confirm that a vote on Israel’s participation was imminent, reports suggested that preparations were underway for an emergency meeting, with the possibility of a decision to suspend Israel from European competitions. The issue reached a boiling point last week after the publication of a report by the UN’s independent commission of inquiry, which accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. This sparked calls from various activist groups for Uefa and Fifa to impose sanctions, including a total ban on Israeli teams from international football.
Despite the pressure, Uefa has opted for a cautious approach. National federations that had supported a potential ban have agreed to pause any action, with sources saying it would be unwise to make a unilateral decision while peace efforts are in progress. This position will likely be revisited depending on the outcome of the Trump peace plan. Trump has given Hamas a deadline of “three or four days” to accept his proposals, and further developments in the peace process could lead to a shift in Uefa’s stance.
Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv, the last remaining Israeli team in European club competitions, is scheduled to face Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday. Israel’s national team is also set to play against Norway on October 11 and Italy three days later in World Cup qualifying.
