Eliminating Israel From the World of Sports

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Global opposition to Israel has expanded into the realms of sports and culture, with critics saying the regime should be barred from participating in world sporting events, just as Russia faced suspension following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

A recent cycling race in Spain drew attention due to spectators protesting the presence of an Israeli team, and the Israeli national anthem was booed at a basketball game in Poland. Several European countries have also threatened to boycott a major music festival if Israel participates.

However, unlike Russia, which faced widespread condemnation and sporting sanctions from the West, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA have taken no action against Israel's genocide. Currently, the International Federation of Muaythai Associations is the only sporting body preventing Israeli athletes from competing under their regime's flag.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, supporting pro-Palestinian protesters who disrupted the "Vuelta" cycling race in Spain last week, stated: "The time has come to sanction Israel and prevent its sports teams from participating in international events due to its brutality in Gaza. Why shouldn't Israel be expelled from sports like Russia was?"

A day later, Spain joined three other European countries in threatening to withdraw from the Eurovision song contest if Israel participates.

Earlier this month, several Hollywood filmmakers, actors, and other film industry figures signed a statement calling for a boycott of Israeli filmmakers and barring them from international festivals.

Christophe De Kepper, the IOC Executive Director, when asked about the committee's double standard regarding Russia and Israel, replied: "This case is different."

Both the IOC and FIFA claim the legal grounds that existed for suspending Russia have not been met for Israel, and refuse to provide further explanation. The IOC claims that Israel, unlike Russia, which occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, has not violated the Olympic Charter. FIFA has also declined requests to comment on its policy towards Israel.

Israel's Reaction to Spain's Stance

In response to the Spanish Prime Minister's revolutionary stance, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called him an antisemite and a liar.

The most severe ban from world sporting events was imposed on South Africa during the apartheid era. The country was excluded from the Olympics from 1960 until the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games, two years after Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

Russia was quickly blacklisted by most international sports federations after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and its athletes competed under a neutral flag at the Paris Olympics.

Despite obstruction by sports administrators in global federations, Spain's move is highly significant as the country is a major power in the football world and a co-host of the 2030 World Cup.

Western Athletes' Discomfort Competing Against Israeli Teams

On Thursday, an English Member of Parliament in Birmingham called on UEFA to immediately cancel the upcoming match between Aston Villa and the Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Last month, John Feehan, CEO of Basketball Ireland, speaking about facing Israel in a women's EuroBasket qualifier in November, said: "Facing Israel in these circumstances is not a scenario we want. But Israel's status in sport hasn't changed. Basketball Ireland would face severe sanctions for not playing, which would greatly damage the sport in the country."

In men's football, Italy and Norway are set to host Israel next month in World Cup qualifiers. The football associations of both countries expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation this week.

Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation, said: "I am well aware of the sensitivity of Italian public opinion regarding playing against Israel, but according to FIFA regulations, not playing results in a 3-0 forfeit, meaning we wouldn't go to the World Cup."

The Norwegian national football team announced it will donate the proceeds from ticket sales for its upcoming match against Israel to Doctors Without Borders to reach the people of Gaza.

Fan Protests in Sports Stadiums

Protests inside stadiums are regularly seen in European football. During the Champions League final, a banner reading "Stop the genocidal crime in Gaza" in French was displayed by Paris Saint-Germain fans behind one of the goals. Despite rules prohibiting political activity in stadiums, UEFA chose not to pursue disciplinary action.

This situation continued into the Super Cup match, where banners reading "Stop killing children and civilians" were placed on the pitch in front of players from Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham before the game started.

Canada hosted Israel behind closed doors in a Davis Cup tennis match due to security concerns. This decision came after hundreds of Canadian athletes called for Israel's exclusion over its commission of genocide.

Last year, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans experienced violent clashes with residents of Amsterdam.