Uefa has paused plans to ban Israel from European football following Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for the Middle East. The decision comes amid growing pressure from football bodies and external groups, including the United Nations, but Trump’s announcement alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday has put any measures on hold.
While Uefa never officially confirmed an extraordinary executive committee meeting to vote on Israel’s exclusion, sources indicated plans were well developed. National federations supportive of a ban accepted the pause, with one source describing it as “stupid” for Uefa to act individually while collective peace efforts are underway. The position may be revisited if the Trump deal fails, with Trump stating on Tuesday that Hamas had “three or four days” to accept his proposals.
Last week, senior diplomats called on Uefa and Fifa to ban Israel after a UN report found Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. Campaign group Game Over Israel also took over a Times Square billboard urging boycotts. However, Trump’s plan has shifted the dynamic, gaining support from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leaders of France and Germany, and nations including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, the last Israeli side in European competition, faces Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday. Israel is scheduled to play Norway on 11 October and Italy three days later in World Cup qualifying.
