UK lawmaker accuses FIFA, UEFA of applying 'racist double standards' to Israel amid ongoing war in Gaza

Israeli teams, athletes can join international sporting events but Moscow sanctioned immediately after 2022 war on Ukraine, says Zarah Sultana

A UK Labour Party MP has criticized top football governing bodies over impunity enjoyed by Israeli teams amid ongoing genocide in Gaza. Zarah Sultana recalled that Russia was swiftly banned from all UEFA and FIFA tournaments after launching its war on Ukraine in 2022. However, Israel faces no such sanctions after 13 months of genocide, she noted. This situation highlights "the racist double standards entrenched in global politics & sports," the 31-year-old politician wrote on X on Tuesday. The world’s top sporting governing bodies have been criticized by many for still allowing Israeli teams and athletes to compete in international sporting events while FIFA for football, FIBA in basketball, and the International Olympic Committee immediately sanctioned Moscow. Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since an attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas in October 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire. Nearly 43,700 people have since been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children, and over 103,000 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.