Legendary footballer Eric Cantona has called on football’s governing bodies to suspend Israel following their involvement in hostile conflict in Gaza.
According to him, the Fédération of International Football Association (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) should have already banned Israel, as their actions violate the organisations’ regulations.
He argued that when Russia invaded Ukraine, the governing bodies swiftly barred them from international football, whereas Israel, accused of committing genocide for over two years have faced no such consequences.
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“I played for France and Manchester United. I know that international football is more than just sport. It’s culture, it’s political, it’s soft power, it’s a way for a country to represent itself on a global stage. The time has come to suspend Israel from that privilege.
“Four days after Russia started a war in Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia. We are now 716 days into what Amnesty International has called a genocide, and yet Israel continues to be allowed to participate. Why? Why the double standards? FIFA and UEFA must suspend Israel,” he said while speaking at a benefit concert on September 18, 2025, in London.
The former Manchester United player appealed to clubs and national teams to boycott matches against Israel to pressure the authorities into taking action.
He cited how football played a major role in resolving apartheid in South Africa.
“Clubs everywhere must refuse to play Israeli teams. Current players everywhere must refuse to play against Israeli teams. We all remember apartheid in South Africa. The sporting boycott was critical in ending apartheid there. So we have power, you have power,” he added.
This comes after the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry released a report concluding that, after nearly two years of investigation, Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces pressed ahead with a new ground offensive in Gaza City, despite criticism from human rights organisations, many of Israel’s allies.
Watch Cantona’s remarks below:
@ajplus French footballer Eric Cantona called out FIFA and UEFA for their double standards against Israel. At the Together for Palestine benefit concert in London, he said that Israel should be banned from international football, just like Russia was days after it invaded Ukraine. #Gaza #Palestine #FIFA #UEFA #EricCantona #TogetherForPalestine ♬ 10 minutes ・ Echo ・ Ambient ・ Meditation ・ Universe(952473) – Gloveity
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