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The experts said countries that host international organizations and sporting competitions with Israel must not “remain neutral in the face of genocide“
They noted that they were calling for a boycott of “the State of Israel and not individual players“

GENEVA: A group of United Nations experts on Tuesday urged the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and Europe’s football association UEFA to suspend Israel over accusations it is committing genocide in Gaza.
“Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual,” the eight independent UN experts said in a statement.
“National teams representing States that commit massive human rights violations can and should be suspended.”
Contacted by AFP, UEFA refused to comment and FIFA did not respond immediately.
The experts, who are mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the United Nations, said suspending Israel was “a necessary response to address the ongoing genocide.”
Their comments came a week after the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which also does not speak on behalf of the world body, said that “genocide is occurring in Gaza” and that Israel was to blame.
Israel, which launched its retaliatory war in Gaza following Hamas’s deadly attack inside Israel on October 7, 2023, has rejected that accusation.
The experts said countries that host international organizations and sporting competitions with Israel must not “remain neutral in the face of genocide.”
They noted that they were calling for a boycott of “the State of Israel and not individual players.”
“There should be no discrimination or sanctions against individual players because of their origin or nationality,” said the experts, who include Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on rights in the Palestinian territories, and members of the UN working group on business and human rights.
Last week at an event hosted by Amnesty International in London, former Manchester United star Eric Cantona denounced what he called “double standards” enjoyed by Israel.
“Four days after Russia started the war in Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia,” he said.
“We are now 716 days into what Amnesty International has called a genocide, and yet Israel continues to be allowed to participate,” he said.
“FIFA and UEFA must suspend Israel. Clubs everywhere must refuse to play Israeli teams,” he said.

LONDON: Thomas Frank said he can handle the pressure to win trophies with Tottenham as he prepared for the start the club’s League Cup bid against Doncaster on Wednesday.
While many of his fellow Premier League managers use the League Cup to blood youngsters, Frank has pledged to pick a strong team to face third-tier Doncaster in the third-round clash in London.
Frank is well aware that Tottenham’s Europa League triumph under his predecessor Ange Postecoglou last season has raised expectations among fans.
Postecoglou was axed despite ending Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought because he presided over the club’s worst top-flight finish since 1976/77.
Improving on that 17th place is crucial for Frank in his first season after arriving from Brentford, but putting more silverware in the trophy cabinet would also be a feather in his cap.
“I’m very aware of the expectation,” said Frank. “I think it’s that balance. I would like us to get there where we can compete in all four tournaments throughout the year.
“If you want to compete in all four tournaments, you need to be good enough to pick the right team every single time.”
Tottenham last won the League Cup in 2008, while their most recent FA Cup success came in 1991.
They have not been crowned English champions since 1961.
Frank has won three of his first five league games and kicked off Tottenham’s Champions League challenge with a victory over Villarreal.
The Dane will be without Ben Davies and Randal Kolo Muani against Doncaster, but Dominic Solanke could be on the bench after the England striker trained on Tuesday.
“I think we’re aware that no players can play 60 games of 90 minutes. So, it’s that balance we need to hit throughout the season. Not only because we are facing Doncaster,” Frank said of his plans.
“We need to hit that perfect number of players that rotates and then a strong team. It will be a strong team.”