GENEVA, Switzerland — A group of United Nations experts urges the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and Europe’s soccer association UEFA to suspend Israel over accusations it is committing genocide in Gaza.
“Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual,” the eight independent UN experts say in a statement.
“National teams representing States that commit massive human rights violations can and should be suspended.”
The experts, who are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the United Nations, say suspending Israel was “a necessary response to address the ongoing genocide.”
Their comments come a week after the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which also does not speak on behalf of the world body, says that “genocide is occurring in Gaza” and that Israel was to blame.
Israel, which launched its operation in Gaza following Hamas’s deadly massacre inside Israel on October 7, 2023, has rejected that accusation.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
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