A few hours before a crucial UEFA vote on Israel's participation in international competitions, Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, publicly claims the suspension of the Israeli selection. Norway must face Israel on October 11 in Oslo for the qualifications of the 2026 World Cup, after winning the 4-2 round in Debrecen.
“I work on the question from a prospect of principle, but we will not boycott alone. A boycott would only allow Israel to go to the World Cup for us ”said Klaveness. “In general, we are currently working so that Israel is sanctioned. We believe it must be, and this concerns compliance with the rules. Personally, I consider that since Russia is excluded, Israel should be too. As president of Federation, I can have personal opinions, and I have clear. »»
“It is extremely difficult”
A commission of inquiry in the United Nations published in September a report accusing Israel of genocide during the war in Gaza. Israel rejected these accusations, qualifying the report of scandalous. “It is extremely difficult to play against a country when the word genocide is at stake, because it is despite all its flag and its national anthem that are present”added Klaveness.
The conflict caused more than 66,000 people to death according to local authorities. Controversy exceeds football. Indeed, the president of the Turkish federation, Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, sent a letter to FIFA, UEFA and the presidents of national federations to request the exclusion of Israel from international competitions.
