Italian football coaches call on UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel about actions in Gaza

The Italian football coaches’ Association has taken a stand against Israel’s participation in international competitions during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The AIAC believes that football must also act in solidarity with the victims of the war.

In light of the upcoming crucial world cup qualifiers between Italy and Israel, the AIAC has urged the Italian football federation to suspend Israel from competition. The association has sent a formal letter to the federation, which has been forwarded to the administrative bodies of European and World Football.

Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian football federation and senior vice president of UEFA, has been supportive of the AIAC’s call for action. The association’s Board of Directors unanimously believes that the current situation in Gaza warrants a suspension of Israel from international football.

Italy is scheduled to play Israel on neutral ground in Debrecen, Hungary, on September 8, followed by a return match in Udine on October 14. The AIAC believes that ignoring the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and continuing with the matches would be a display of indifference.

The association’s decision to call for Israel’s suspension follows similar actions taken by UEFA and FIFA in response to the conflict in Ukraine. The AIAC represents around 18,000 members, including coaches and technical staff at all levels of Italian football.

While not all members were consulted before the decision was made, a spokesperson for the AIAC stated that the letter sent to the federation reflects the widespread sentiment among Italian coaches. The association is committed to standing in solidarity with those affected by the conflict and advocating for peace and justice in the region.