By Jamie Gardner

Copyright independent

As first reported by The Times, it is understood plans are being put in place to hold an extraordinary meeting next week of Uefa’s executive committee to discuss this topic, though nothing has yet been firmly scheduled.

Israel, which has been a full member of Uefa since 1994, has faced growing international criticism over its attacks on Gaza, which were sparked by the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas inside Israel.

The PA news agency understands there is support within Uefa’s member associations to take action and suspend the country.

Jibril Rajoub, the president of the Palestinian Football Association which has long called for Israel’s suspension, said he would be meeting with Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin next week, along with Kirsty Coventry, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“I believe that Israelis should not be allowed to participate in any matches, whether they are Uefa or Fifa-regulated,” he told TV2 in Norway.

“Israel have violated principles, values and Fifa’s statutes. Therefore, I believe that Israel should be sanctioned. I hope Uefa will follow the spirit of the statutes.

“It is their responsibility to protect their own laws and statutes. It is double standards from the president of Fifa to shut Russia out within a few hours (of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022), while Israel are allowed to continue to violate and commit crimes against the Palestinian football family.”

Any move by Uefa to suspend Israel may prove a difficult one politically for Fifa, whose president Gianni Infantino has a close relationship with United States President Donald Trump, with the US co-hosting next summer’s World Cup.

A spokesman for the US state department told Sky News on Thursday: “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup.”

Israel are currently third in their qualifying group behind Norway and Italy.

The country has one club remaining in European competition, Maccabi Tel Aviv, who are due to face Aston Villa in the Europa League in Birmingham on November 6.

United Nations rapporteurs called on Fifa and Uefa to suspend Israel earlier this week and said in a statement: “Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual.

“Sporting bodies must not turn a blind eye to grave human rights’ violations, especially when their platforms are used to normalise injustices.”

Israeli FA president Moshe Zuares told TV2: “I think Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin is doing a fantastic job of keeping football going. Making sure everyone can play. Because we all understand that ultimately it won’t stop a war or what’s happening.

“I really want the war to end. I pray every day for it to end. I really want us to be able to live in peace with our neighbours. I really want our hostages to come home. I really want our children to play with Palestinian children.

“We have no problem with the Palestinians, our problem is only with Hamas.

“But I don’t think stopping football will help in any way. I didn’t see that the war between Russia and Ukraine ended after Russia was banned? I don’t see that it solved any problem?”

Uefa declined to comment. The Israeli FA has been approached for comment by PA.