Why Israel And Israeli Clubs Participate In European Football Matches?
A Europa League match between Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam turned violent as tensions over the Gaza-Israel conflict erupted on the streets of the Dutch capital. Hundreds of Maccabi supporters gathered in the city, reportedly chanting inflammatory slogans and tearing down Palestinian flags, prompting clashes with pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Amsterdam’s mayor responded with a temporary ban on demonstrations and heightened police presence, aiming to control the escalating violence. Both Israeli and Dutch officials expressed concern over the incidents, while world leaders condemned the scenes as reminiscent of dark historical moments. As per reports, sixty-two arrests were made, and injuries were reported. The events have prompted discussions around security for future matches and have raised questions about the broader societal impacts of West Asian conflicts on European communities.
The current events in Amsterdam has raised questions on social media platforms, in which many asked why clubs from Israel, an Asian country, participate in competitions organised by a European football body rather than one from Asia.
Israeli football clubs, including Maccabi Tel Aviv, compete in UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) competitions rather than in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for historical and geopolitical reasons.
Here’s why:
Geopolitical Tensions in the Region
Israel’s membership in the AFC became problematic due to longstanding political conflicts, caused mainly by the occupation of Palestine, with many West Asian countries, which are also AFC members. As political relations worsened over time, Israeli teams faced boycotts and other issues when trying to compete with neighbouring countries.
Suspension from the AFC
In the 1970s, many AFC countries refused to compete with Israeli teams. This period saw many wars in the region. This led to Israel’s suspension from the AFC in 1974, as it became nearly impossible for Israeli clubs and the national team to participate in Asian competitions without facing boycotts.
Temporary Status and Membership in UEFA
After leaving the AFC, Israel spent some time as a “football nomad,” playing in competitions hosted by other associations, such as Oceania. In 1991, UEFA, though a European football body, officially granted Israel provisional membership, and by 1994, Israel was accepted as a full UEFA member, allowing its clubs and national teams to participate in European competitions.
Political Neutrality in Sport
UEFA claims that its competitions are structured to be politically neutral, allowing teams to compete based on sporting merit rather than political affiliations or tensions. This ensures that Israeli clubs can participate in UEFA competitions without the interference they might face in the AFC. However, there are criticisms against the football body’s decision to include Israel for its fixtures. Some critics, particularly from West Asian and North African countries, see Israel’s inclusion in UEFA as preferential treatment, suggesting that politics has influenced the decision. They believe UEFA has deviated from its usual policy of admitting only European countries to avoid tensions.
