In recent years, sports have increasingly been seen as a platform not only for competition but also for diplomacy, unity, and the promotion of human rights.
International sports governing bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) have long claimed to promote the values of fairness and peace.
Specifically, FIFA’s Statutes, Article 3, emphasizes that the organization must protect the rights of individuals and nations, particularly regarding human rights abuses and promoting peace through sports.
We can observe these events through what happened in 2022, following Russia's military invasion of Ukraine,which resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and aggressive military
operations violating international law, clearly met the threshold for this sanction imposed by governments and international organizations.
In response, FIFA, UEFA, and the IOC promptly banned Russian teams and athletes from all international competitions. Their actions were justified under their governing regulations, which allow for the suspension or expulsion of member states whose actions undermine the foundation of the sport's ethical integrity. This proved that international sports organizations may act effectively when a state's actions conflict with human dignity, fair play, and peace principles.
By contrast, since the 8th of October 2023, Israel has been conducting military operations in Palestine that have resulted in the deaths of over 45,000 children and women, the destruction of infrastructure, and accusations of genocide. Furthermore, today, Israel has been accused of war crimes and violating human rights after its military actions in Lebanon resulted in the deaths of over 500 civilians and the injuries of 2000 in less than 24 hours. Although none of these illegal acts have led to comparable restrictions or prohibitions, Israel is nevertheless allowed to compete in FIFA, the Olympics, and other international competitions without the same scrutiny that is placed on Russia.
Though Israel's war crime resulted in the destruction of sports infrastructure and disproportionately harmed Palestinian and Lebanese athletes, this inconsistency raises concerns about the application of double standards in enforcing ethical norms in international sports, knowing that FIFA’s disciplinary code allows action against any member whose conduct damages football's reputation or threatens the safety of individuals involved.
However, global sports are often framed as neutral arenas meant to transcend political boundaries and serve as beacons of unity and peace. This was reflected when the international sports community celebrated a moral stance in excluding Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, which claimed that participation in global competitions was a privilege conditional on adherence to and compliance with international law.
The principle of non-discrimination under international law and sports bodies' statutes suggests that Israel's continued involvement in global sports competitions violates the ethical standards these bodies claim to uphold. Therefore, it is time for FIFA, the IOC, and other governing bodies to reevaluate Israel's eligibility to compete in international events to ensure that justice and fairness are upheld universally.
In conclusion, as the world of sports continues to intersect with global politics, the role of international sports bodies in promoting peace and justice becomes ever more crucial.
The exclusion of Russia from global competitions set an important precedent, but this same standard must be applied consistently. Israel’s ongoing military operations in Palestine and Lebanon, combined with its alleged war crimes, call for similar action. International sports bodies must confront the ethical and legal contradictions in allowing Israel to participate while ignoring its violations of international law.
