European Football Association President Alexander Kevren has hinted that there were no political pressure that prevented Israeli clubs from ejaculation from European competitions.
Russian clubs were banned after the country invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but the same punishment was not applied to Israel despite the brutal acts currently being implemented in Gaza.
Request to explain the difference, Severn said the politician: “Look, first and foremost, what happens with civilians there personally hurts me, which kills me. It is impossible to see these things anymore.
“From another point of view, I am not a supporter of the athlete’s ban. Because what can the athlete do for his government to stop the war? It is very difficult.
“Now, I think that the ban on Russian teams is, I think, three and a half years. Has the war stopped? It was not so.
“I can’t say what will happen. There are talks about everything, but personally, I am against expelling athletes.”
Direct teams create other issues – CEFERIN
CEFERIN cited an example of Yugoslavia when they were expelled from Euro 1992 after dissolving the country and the war that followed.
Slovenie added: “The former player in Yugoslavia, (Dijan) Savvic, is now the president of the Football Association in Montenegro, said that in 92 when Yugoslavia was banned from playing the European championship, they were all (players) against (Slobodan) Miloshivic.
“They were all against the regime. The regime was non -democratic, etc.. But they were expelled. Because of political sanctions, the result was hatred against the West that still remain. In Serbia, for example, if you went to a referendum on NATO, 80 percent will be against.
“So, for me, sport should try to show the way but not by preventing athletes to compete. But to be honest, again, with war, Russia Ukraine, we had almost a hysterical political reaction. We were among the first to act, really believing that sport could help put an end to this tragedy. Sadly, life showed otherwise.
“I cannot understand how a politician who can do a lot to stop the slaughter, anywhere, sleep to see all children and all civilians died. I don’t understand that. You know, the idea of football must solve these problems? In any way.”
UEFA came because of his criticism of a banner before the Super Cup conflict between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham, who read: “Stop killing the children-they stopped killing civilians.”
It was relied upon to be a direct message to Israel, but Ceferin said it was a more general call.
“We have the UEFA Children’s Foundation. We do not live on another planet. We live in this world. When you see children die all over the world because of – it is a diplomatic statement, if you say – reckless politicians. Whoever believes that” stop killing children, the killing of civilians is a political message that is intimate, for me.
“It is terrible for children to die because of political attention, and they starved to death. Muhammad, who was giving medals with me (in a super cup), lost his mother and father. He was severely injured. I never saw a child hugging me a lot.
“But from another point of view, as you know, the policy is everywhere. When you show your Scottish flag, it is a policy. But we do not interfere in politics, but we will not say that killing children anywhere or civilians is good. We have to say that we despise it, and we will always say that.
“But you know what happened in the end?
“So, as you know, in life it may be better not to do anything. But if such a big thing happens, this terrible thing does not allow me to sleep – not me, all my colleagues – no one in this organization, we should not do that. No one. Then you have to do the right thing to do.”
Israel also remains in international competition. They are facing a qualified head of the World Cup over the next week, as they visit Moldova on Friday before the match at home against Italy, which will be organized in the Hungarian city of Debreen.
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