UEFA and FIFA may get a red card at the ICC for ignoring Israeli violations

Al JazeeraEN 5 min read 100% complete by Nathan Kalman-Lamb,Rebecca O’KeeffeFebruary 22, 2026 at 12:49 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

In February 2026, Palestinian footballers, clubs, and advocacy groups referred the heads of FIFA and UEFA, Gianni Infantino and Aleksander Čeferin, to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The filing accuses them of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity through their inaction regarding Israeli football clubs based in occupied Palestinian territories. The groups argue that by allowing these clubs to participate in domestic and international tournaments, FIFA and UEFA are complicit in Israeli occupation and apartheid. This referral marks the first time sports leaders have faced such accusations at the ICC. The case highlights the alleged destruction of Palestinian sports facilities and the killing of athletes by Israel, while also questioning FIFA's decision not to suspend Israeli teams despite calls for such action.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Russia ×240% Gaza Strip 50% Palestinian ×260% Israel Football Association ×260% Israel ×270% Aleksander Čeferin 70% International Criminal Court ×280% Gianni Infantino ×490% FIFA ×790% UEFA ×390%

Keywords

fifa 90% international criminal court 90% uefa 80% crimes against humanity 70% war crimes 70% israeli violations 70% palestinian footballers 60% apartheid 60% genocide 50% occupation 50%