UEFA has shelved plans to boot Israel out of European competition in the wake of Donald Trump[1]’s peace plan.
The continent’s governing body had been considering holding an emergency meeting of its executive committee next week amid reports a majority were in favour of a ban.
However, the US president has now launched a bid to bring an end to the war in Gaza – a move which has seen UEFA effectively put its foot on the ball.
While the situation did not get to the stage where a meeting was arranged, officials will now take a wait-and-see stance.
US president Trump has backing from eight countries on his 20-point plan aimed at ending the devastating, near two-year conflict.
It includes a process of demilitarisation and redevelopment, with former PM Sir Tony Blair[2] becoming the first named member of a ‘Board of Peace’, chaired by Trump. The body would temporarily oversee Gaza’s governance if the plan is accepted by Hamas[3].
UEFA has shelved plans to kick Israel out of European competitions in response to Donald Trump’s peace plan
Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war has already been accepted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel has been a member of UEFA since 1984. The involvement of its clubs in European competitions has triggered anger in certain quarters. At the Super Cup Final in August a UEFA banner reading ‘Stop Killing Children, Stop Killing Civilians’ was raised.
Some European sides have asked if they could avoid playing teams from Israel.
Israel are currently third in Group I of World Cup qualifying. Had UEFA pressed ahead with a ban, it would be unlikely to stop them playing in the qualifiers given the tournament itself is organised by FIFA.
The development may well come as a relief for FIFA president, Gianni Infantino. Had UEFA followed through with a ban, it would have piled pressure on Infantino – a close friend of Trump – ahead of next year’s World Cup.
References
- ^ Donald Trump (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Tony Blair (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Hamas (www.dailymail.co.uk)