Global rights group Amnesty International has criticised FIFA for declining to sanction the Israel Football Association over the inclusion of clubs based in Israeli settlements in its domestic league system.
The organisation said FIFA’s decision ignores both its own rules and established principles of international law, particularly regarding activities in occupied territories.
The criticism follows FIFA’s recent ruling not to take disciplinary action despite a formal complaint submitted by the Palestinian Football Association.
Reacting to the development, Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice, Steve Cockburn, accused the global football body of failing to act when it had the opportunity.
He said FIFA’s refusal to intervene effectively undermines its own statutes and sends the wrong message about accountability in global sport.
Amnesty based its argument on both FIFA regulations and international legal rulings. According to the organisation, the International Court of Justice has clearly stated that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal and that such occupation should come to an end.
It also pointed to FIFA’s internal rules, which prohibit member associations from organising matches in another association’s territory without approval.
Reports indicate that at least six clubs located in settlements within the Occupied Palestinian Territory are currently competing in Israeli domestic competitions, a situation Amnesty believes FIFA is overlooking.
The organisation warned that allowing such participation risks normalising what it described as unlawful conditions, adding that football’s governing body has a responsibility to ensure its competitions do not conflict with international law.
Amnesty also called on FIFA to be more transparent about how it arrived at its decision. It urged the body to publish the legal advice it relied on and clearly explain the reasoning behind its stance.
In its response dated March 19, FIFA defended its position, describing the issue as complex. The body stated that the legal status of the West Bank remains unresolved under international law, which informed its decision not to impose sanctions.
However, this explanation has not satisfied critics, especially given FIFA’s history of taking action in governance and disciplinary matters involving its member associations.
The dispute dates back to March 2024, when the Palestinian FA filed a complaint accusing the Israeli FA of anti-Palestinian discrimination and raising concerns over settlement-based clubs participating in its leagues.
In October 2025, Amnesty International had also written to both FIFA and UEFA, urging them to suspend the Israeli federation unless such clubs were excluded from competitions.
Further efforts to understand FIFA’s legal position included outreach to a law firm commissioned by the body, though no detailed response was made public.
Meanwhile, FIFA has previously taken disciplinary steps against the Israeli FA on a separate matter. Following an investigation linked to the Palestinian FA’s complaint, the governing body fined the federation and ordered measures aimed at addressing discriminatory behaviour, including awareness campaigns and preventive actions.
Amnesty has also raised concerns about financial support flowing from FIFA and UEFA to the Israeli FA, suggesting such funding could indirectly contribute to broader issues linked to settlement expansion.
The controversy highlights the growing tension between global sports administration and geopolitical realities. As pressure mounts from human rights groups, FIFA’s handling of the matter is expected to remain under close scrutiny within both football and international policy circles.
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