The Italian Coaches’ Association (AIAC) sent an official statement to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), demanding that Israel be ‘temporarily suspended’ from international competitions over what they call “the genocide taking place in Gaza for almost two years.”
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Israel’s national team player Doron Haziza against Italy’s Andrea Cambiaso
(Photo: Jennifer Lorenzini/Reuters)
According to reports, the decision to send the letter was made following a discussion by the AIAC’s high council, convened by chairman Renzo Ulivieri.
The association said the move was approved unanimously, with the goal of having the Italian football federation “act on behalf of the Palestinian people,” through formally asking UEFA to suspend Israel from all the association’s competitions.
The timing is significant, as Israel is scheduled to face Italy in September and October in World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, UEFA has already taken action against Israeli soccer. As first reported by Ynet, the European governing body decided to charge HaPoel Be’er Sheva over a banner displayed during the second half of Saturday’s Toto Cup semifinal against HaPoel Tel Aviv, which read: “Two things must be destroyed: UEFA and Hamas!”
