"GENEVA -- European soccer body UEFA is moving toward a vote to suspend its member federation Israel over the war in Gaza, people familiar with the proposal told The Associated Press on Thursday. A majority of UEFA's 20-member executive committee is expected to support any vote in favor of suspending Israeli teams from international play, two sources told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject."
"It is unclear whether world soccer body FIFA will support excluding Israel given the close relations between FIFA's leader, Gianni Infantino, and President Donald Trump. The Trump administration's support to secure the World Cup, and process visas for players, officials and potentially hundreds of thousands of visiting fans, is seen as key to FIFA delivering a successful tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico next year."
UEFA's executive committee is expected to support a vote to suspend Israel's federation, which would bar Israeli national and club teams from international competitions including next year's World Cup. Israel's men's team is scheduled to resume World Cup qualifying in two weeks with away matches against Norway and Italy. FIFA's stance is uncertain due to close relations between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Trump administration's assistance to secure the World Cup and process visas for players, officials and visitors is considered key to delivering the tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Calls to exclude Israel from sports have increased amid outcry over the humanitarian toll of its military campaign in Gaza.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]