UEFA delays vote to suspend 'Israel' after US introduces Gaza deal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
30 Sep 2025 23:37
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UEFA delayed a vote on suspending "Israel’s" membership after US President Donald Trump announced a Gaza ceasefire plan and met with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

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"Israel" supporters react following the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and "Israel" at the Sea de de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Nov. 14, 2024 (AP)

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has postponed a planned vote on suspending "Israel’s" membership following the announcement of a ceasefire plan for Gaza by US President Donald Trump, The Times reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the timing of his initiative directly influenced UEFA’s decision to delay the vote.

Divides over 'Israel' membership

The British newspaper noted that a majority of UEFA’s executive members supported suspending "Israel" before the shift in circumstances. An emergency meeting of UEFA’s Executive Committee had been scheduled for this week, with expectations that the suspension would gain majority support.

The report added that the situation changed after Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The discussions were reportedly seen as a factor that altered momentum within UEFA’s governing body.

UN experts press FIFA, UEFA to suspend 'Israel'

A group of eight independent UN human rights experts had been calling on FIFA and UEFA to suspend "Israel" from international football competitions over accusations of genocide in Gaza.

In a joint statement, the experts declared, "Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual. National teams representing States that commit massive human rights violations can and should be suspended."

The experts, who serve under mandates from the UN Human Rights Council, argued that suspending "Israel" was "a necessary response to address the ongoing genocide." Among them is Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.