Calls for boycotts, requests for exclusion from major international competitions, matches relocated to Hungary: the Israeli football team is experiencing a turbulent period. She will play Monday evening in Italy and on November 14 in France, two countries in which these matches are causing lively debate.
“The war spills over into the sporting field because the Israeli selection has since its creation been closely linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a result, Israel was excluded from the Asian Football Confederation in 1974 following the Yom Kippur War and joined UEFA in 1994. Confrontations between Israel and other countries have always been subject to geopolitical debates due to the situation between Israel and Palestine. And as there is a resurgence of the conflict, the question arises. “, explained sports geopolitics analyst Kévin Veyssière Monday evening on the RTS show Forum.
Sport is today a showcase of a country. The Israeli selection or athletes are seen as ‘ambassadors’ of the nation
According to Kévin Veyssière, the issue goes beyond the playing field: “Sport today is a showcase for a country. The Israeli selection or the athletes during the Olympic Games, for example, are seen as ‘ambassadors’ of the nation. This can be a corollary with the government, even if the athletes are not responsible for the actions of their government. But agreeing to face this selection can be seen as condoning the actions of Israel.
However, he qualifies: “We cannot say that Israel is exploiting its national team, because there is no statement from Benjamin Netanyahu associated with this team. But the fact of seeing national symbols in the context of a conflict can lead to a lot of questions, particularly about match security.”
Football, a globalized sport
Football, the world sport par excellence, is a field of political expression, according to Kévin Veyssière. “Football is the most globalized sport. There are more FIFA members, 206, than UN member states, 193. The ball speaks to all nations. A victory in a Cup of the world can be an event that goes beyond the sporting level.”
Israel’s matches are not safe from threats: “There may be a terrorist risk. You can see a corollary of war in a stadium. Now, most of Israel’s home matches are relocated to Hungary’s last away match, Belgium-Israel, was not hosted by Brussels due to the high security risk.”
Viktor Orbán can enhance Hungary’s image on the international scene and strengthen its discourse on national greatness
Hungary, led by Viktor Orbán, became a solution for UEFA: “During Euro 2021, as the pandemic grew again, UEFA chose Hungary as a solution, because Viktor Orban imposed less strict restrictions, particularly regarding stadium capacity. This choice was then extended to manage other issues, notably geopolitical. For example, Belarus, still a member of UEFA, can no longer play its matches in Minsk. since Russia invaded Ukraine with the support of the Belarusian regime.”
For Kévin Veyssière, welcoming the Israeli and Belarusian teams allows Viktor Orbán “to promote Hungary’s image on the international scene and to strengthen its discourse on national greatness”.
No exclusion in sight
Finally, the question of the exclusion of Israel from international competitions is also raised, particularly in comparison with the situation in Russia: some are calling for the exclusion of Israel from major international competitions. For the moment, FIFA is delaying.
“It is not intended to take a political position, except in the event of a direct attack on the Palestinian federation. The grievances mentioned, such as the impossibility for certain Palestinian clubs to train in the West Bank, are relevant, but the federation “The Palestinian conflict should be supported by other influential federations, but there is a direct link to politics. The conflict persists in part because there are no major political partners calling for its resolution.”
Comments collected by Valentin Emery and Mehmet Gultas
Adaptation web: Valentin Jordil
