The Times: the majority in UEFA supports the exclusion of Israel from its organizations – there will be a vote

Israeli sports face a serious threat. After Israel Hayom reported attempts to exclude the national team and clubs from European tournaments, U.S. intervention managed to halt this initiative. However, according to the British newspaper The Times, the majority opinion in UEFA leans towards excluding Israel, with a vote scheduled for next week.

Conflicts Surrounding Club Participation

The Times notes that last month, several European clubs asked UEFA to find a way to avoid matches with Israeli teams, particularly with “Maccabi Tel Aviv,” the only Israeli representative in the Europa League. This situation accelerated the discussion of possibly suspending Israel, and now the issue will be put to a vote.

U.S. Reaction

The report coincided with a statement from the U.S. State Department, which confirmed that President Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio took steps with UEFA and FIFA to prevent the exclusion of Israeli teams. Trump stated that “this is unacceptable” to him, and he continues to fight to maintain Israeli sports’ participation in international competitions.

Legal Justifications and Precedents

It is worth noting that the American statement mentioned the Israeli national team in the context of the World Cup but did not address the issue of UEFA, the Europa League, or “Maccabi Tel Aviv.” The Times adds that UEFA refers to the precedent of Russia’s suspension following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when Russian clubs and teams were excluded from European tournaments and have not yet been reinstated.

The Future of Israeli Sports in Europe

The situation continues to develop, and the upcoming vote will clarify how this story will end. Uncertainty regarding the participation of Israeli organizations in European competitions creates an atmosphere of tension, both in sports and beyond. Under the pressure of public opinion and political actors, such decisions could significantly impact the fate of Israeli teams and their future performances on the international stage.