While Russia confronted swift bans from worldwide sport over its invasion of Ukraine, Israeli golf equipment proceed to compete globally regardless of ongoing army operations in Gaza and Iran – a silence that Turkish sports activities lawyer Anıl Dinçer calls “a glaring double standard” and a troubling inconsistency on the coronary heart of world sports activities governance.
Dinçer, an professional in sports activities regulation, in contrast the dealing with of Israel’s army actions with the fast international sanctions imposed on Russia after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “Russia was hit with sweeping bans – teams expelled, federations blocked, players allowed to leave. With Israel, we get silence,” he informed Anadolu Agency (AA).
“FIFA acted swiftly against Russia. Why not Israel?” Dinçer requested. “The sporting world is watching – and waiting.”
War unfolding on and off the sector
Following Israeli strikes on Iranian soil – and its persevering with assault on Gaza – Dinçer mentioned international soccer has once more been dragged into geopolitical tensions. He famous that whereas overseas gamers in each Israel and Iran face rising uncertainty, FIFA has but to supply provisions like short-term transfers or contract protections.
“If the war escalates, FIFA may allow one-season loan transfers, as it did for players in Russia,” Dinçer mentioned. “But right now, there’s no move – not even a discussion.”
Dinçer pressured that Israel’s violations of worldwide humanitarian regulation have spanned years however have by no means triggered the sort of sporting penalties imposed on Russia.
“We’re seeing systematic human rights violations. Yet no sports sanctions. Why the hesitation?” he requested.
In 2022, FIFA and UEFA swiftly suspended the Russian nationwide groups and golf equipment. But immediately, regardless of related – or worse – actions from Israel, no such steps have been taken.
“This is a textbook case of selective enforcement,” Dinçer mentioned. “The message it sends is damaging – to athletes, to fans, and to the integrity of the game.”
FIFPro’s unanswered pleas
Dinçer additionally revealed that the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) has made three formal requests – in 2013, 2024, and 2025 – asking FIFA to penalize Israel for its actions.
Yet FIFA has refused to convene its congress to debate them.
“These aren’t just ignored – they’re buried,” Dinçer mentioned. “FIFA acts like the requests don’t exist.”
Beyond soccer, Dinçer framed the difficulty as a broader moral failure. FIFA’s core ideas – honest play, equality, and justice – are undermined, he mentioned, by selective inaction.
“As a lawyer and as a human being, I find this deeply troubling,” he mentioned. “FIFA is failing not just legally, but morally.”
He warned that any additional delay in addressing the scenario, particularly because the 2024–25 season approaches, will deepen public distrust in international sports activities governance.
Dinçer concluded with a pointy warning: if governing our bodies proceed to disregard Israeli actions, they threat shattering their credibility.
“Every decision they fail to take chips away at their legitimacy,” he mentioned. “Football can’t afford another scandal rooted in silence.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com