The Presidents of FIFA and UEFA are scheduled to be summoned to the ICC for aiding in war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territory on November 23, 2025.
The complaint will be presented by a group of Palestinian footballers, Palestinian clubs, landowners, Palestinian human rights organizations (such as Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor), and international advocacy groups (Irish Sport for Palestine, Scottish Sport for Palestine, Just Peace Advocates, Africa4Palestine, and Sports Scholars for Palestine).
According to a statement, the complaints accuse the FIFA and UEFA presidents of including Israeli football clubs in occupied settlements.
“FIFA President Infantino and UEFA President Čeferin have been accused of aiding and abetting war crimes (specifically, the transfer of civilian population into occupied territories) and crimes against humanity (specifically, apartheid) under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Communication is expected to be formally filed with the ICC Office of Prosecutor by 23 December 2025,” read part of the statement.
Additionally, they have also been accused of providing financial and structural support in UEFA-organized competitions.
They have also urged that the presidents have been cooperating with the highest levels of the Israeli and US governments to avoid accountability.
“Evidence also demonstrates that the Presidents of UEFA and FIFA cooperated with the highest levels of the Israeli and US governments to facilitate the continued participation of the Israel FA and settlement clubs, and to shield them from accountability,” read part of the statement.
Complaint Against the President of FIFA and UEFA
The presidents have been accused of including football clubs in illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Additionally, they have been accused of permitting clubs to play in leagues organized by the Israeli Football Association and to host matches on seized land.
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However, the presidents of FIFA and UEFA have been accused of providing financial and structural support to settlement clubs.
“The complaint centers on FIFA and UEFA’s inclusion of Israeli football clubs based in illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian territory that were built on land stolen from the Palestinian people. FIFA and UEFA permit these clubs to play in leagues organized by the Israel Football Association and host matches on the seized land. They also provide financial and structural support to settlement clubs, some of which have played in the UEFA-organized competitions.” Read part of the statement.
They have also been accused of ignoring multiple reports and letters addressed to them by UN human rights experts, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Members of the European Parliament.
Demand for Action
Therefore, through their complaint, they have demanded justice for the human rights violations committed by the FIFA and UEFA presidents.
“In addition to being in breach of FIFA and UEFA Statutes, this practice normalizes life in the settlements and legitimizes Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, contributing to the transfer of civilian population into occupied territories contrary to the Rome Statute art 8(2)(b)(viii),” the statement read
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The Palestinians have been warned not to enter FIFA and UEFA matches as spectators or to become managers in their football clubs.
“The practice also aids and abets apartheid (a crime against humanity pursuant to Rome Statute art 7(1)(j)) – Palestinians are not allowed to enter the matches as spectators, play for, or become managers of, the illegal settlement clubs,” read part of the statement.
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