By News18,Siddarth Sriram

Copyright news18

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked global reactions across the sports world, with athletes increasingly speaking out. A group of 48 high-profile sportspeople has signed a petition calling for Israel and its clubs to be banned from all international competitions.
The petition, which condemns alleged war crimes and calls for sanctions, includes Paul Pogba — currently recovering at AS Monaco– as a leading signatory, alongside Hakim Ziyech and former Ipswich captain Sam Morsy.
The aim is to push governing bodies to impose measures on Israel similar to those enacted against Russia following the war in Ukraine.
Rising Stars Add Their Voice
Algerian U20 international Rayan Kolli has also added his name to the petition, joining the global sports figures in a symbolic show of solidarity with Palestine.
Cricketer Moeen Ali is among the other signatories. For these athletes, including Pogba, the petition represents a moral imperative.
“Sport cannot stand aside in the face of injustice. Silence in such a situation means agreeing that some lives are worth more than others,” the petition reads.
UEFA Faces Historic Decision
Meanwhile, UEFA is preparing for a potential vote on suspending Israel from its competitions.
The Israeli national team is currently participating in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, while Maccabi Tel Aviv competes in the Europa League.
A decision by UEFA’s 20-member executive committee could immediately bar Israel from all European competitions and the 2026 World Cup, should a simple majority vote in favor.
The petitioners emphasised that this is a unified global voice from professional athletes demanding justice, fairness, and humanity in sports.