‘Complicit in genocide’ – Anti-Israel activists disrupt soccer event

Norwegian player Mathias Normann joined the campaign to boycott the Jewish state, after ending an engagement to an Israeli model.

By World Israel News Staff

Anti-Israel protesters picketed a UEFA event in London on Wednesday evening, demanding that the international soccer body ban Israel from competing in its tournaments.

Around 60 demonstrators gathered outside UEFA’s official launch event for the 2028 European Championship, waving Palestinian flags and shouting that those associated with UEFA had “blood on their hands.”

According to a report from the Daily Mail, protesters held signs reading “You are complicit,” “Show Israel the red card,” and “Offside for genocide.”

During the ceremony, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin ignored the commotion outside of the venue.

“Football is the universal language. It expresses passion, skill, courage, solidarity, and respect better than any other, and it constantly reminds us that our differences are exactly what make our sport so beautiful,” Čeferin said. “At Euro 2028, we will all speak football – loud, clear, and united.”

Earlier that day, a group called Game Over Israel, which campaigns to ban Israel from international sporting and entertainment events, sent an open letter to UEFA urging a boycott.

“No shared venue, stage, or arena in international civil society should welcome a regime that commits genocide, apartheid, and other crimes against humanity,” the letter read.

“Israel’s continued impunity for such crimes will only be ended by the weight of collective conscientious action, including measures to block their entry to sporting or cultural events and activities.”

The letter was signed by several professional footballers, including French World Cup winner Paul Pogba, Moroccan player Hakim Ziyech, Spanish winger Adama Traoré, and Dutch forward Anwar El Ghazi.

Another signee, Norwegian player Mathias Normann, ended an engagement with Israeli model Eden Fines in 2024, and has since posted virulently anti-Israel content on social media.

In recent months, the Football Association of Ireland and the Turkish Football Federation have both called for Israel to be banned from international soccer tournaments.