Tel aviv: A UN expert has recommended that Israel be suspended from international football matches, citing official conclusions that Tel Aviv has committed genocide. Speaking to Anadolu, Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights Alexandra Xanthaki, one of the UN experts who urged that football authorities FIFA and UEFA expel Israel after the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory concluded that it had committed genocide, said waiting is no longer acceptable.

According to Anadolu Agency, Xanthaki emphasized the urgent need for action, stating, "We cannot pretend that it's business as usual, and football associations also cannot pretend that it's business as usual." She criticized sports associations for their reluctance to act on human rights violations, despite claiming that human rights are central to their mission. Xanthaki argued that the evidence provided by independent, world-renowned experts, including the UN Commission of Inquiry and 41 special rapporteurs, necessitates immediate action from sports associations and the states where these organizations are based.

Xanthaki further highlighted the inconsistency in how international sports bodies have responded to different geopolitical crises. She pointed out that Russia was banned from competitions within four days of its invasion of Ukraine, urging similar consistency in response to the situation involving Israel. She criticized UEFA for using the recent US ceasefire plan as an excuse for inaction, describing the plan as appalling and lacking the consent of genocide victims.

Suggesting an alternative approach, Xanthaki proposed that UEFA and FIFA take immediate measures, with the possibility of readmitting Israel once peace is achieved. She expressed disappointment over FIFA's recent rejection of a ban on Israel and called for a renewed focus on human rights over politics. Xanthaki warned that if FIFA and UEFA continue to delay, national federations and clubs might independently refuse to play against Israel, potentially delegitimizing the sports associations.

Addressing concerns of whether the call for Israel's suspension was timely, Xanthaki defended the decision, stating that the severity of the crime required absolute certainty before action. She emphasized that the ongoing gross human rights violations deserved stronger responses even before the genocide conclusion. Xanthaki clarified that she faced no pressure before or after her statements, underscoring the importance of separating human rights from political issues. She criticized states attempting to politicize the issue, emphasizing the global responsibility to uphold human rights irrespective of political or geopolitical considerations.