Italian soccer coaches: Israel should be suspended by UEFA and FIFA over Gaza war

The Italian Soccer Coaches’ Association is pushing for Israel to be suspended from international competition over the war in Gaza.

Ahead of Italy’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Israel in the next two months, the AIAC says, “Israel must stop. Soccer must also take action.”

The AIAC has written a formal letter to the Italian soccer federation, to be forwarded to European and world soccer’s governing bodies, calling for Israel to be suspended.

“The AIAC Board of Directors unanimously believes that, given the daily massacres, which have also resulted in hundreds of deaths among managers, coaches, and athletes … it is legitimate, necessary, indeed a duty, to place at the center of federation talks the request, to be submitted to UEFA and FIFA, for the temporary exclusion of Israel from sporting competitions,” the letter concludes.

“Because the pain of the past cannot cloud anyone’s conscience and humanity.”

FIFA, which oversees world soccer competition, has repeatedly deferred a decision on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from international play.

Italy is set to play Israel on neutral turf in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sept. 8, before hosting the return match in northeastern Italy’s Udine on Oct. 14.

Italy, which has won the World Cup four times, has not qualified for the tournament since 2014. Israel has not qualified since its sole appearance in 1970.

“We could just focus on playing, looking the other way. But we believe that is not right,” AIAC vice president Giancarlo Camolese said.

Italy played Israel in Udine last October in a Nations League match that saw protests before and during the game and intense security measures, including snipers on the roof of the stadium. It also played in Hungary the previous month. Italy won both matches.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.