A panel of experts from the United Nations has called on UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel from international competition due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Last week, a UN commission of inquiry found Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has killed more than 64,000 people in Gaza, per the Hamas-run health ministry, which the UN views as reliable.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas conducted an attack that killed around 1,200 people with an additional 251 taken hostage.

Israel's men's national team is currently taking part in UEFA World Cup qualification, with its next matches set for October against Norway and Italy. Israel has started qualifying with a 1W-1D-4L record, making qualification a tall order.

"Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual," the experts said in a statement. "Sporting bodies must not turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations, especially when their platforms are used to normalize injustices."

According to a report from Israel-based website Mako, Qatar has been pushing FIFA and UEFA to ban Israeli teams since Israel conducted an attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar earlier this month.

In addition to the Israel national team, Maccabi Tel Aviv could be removed from the UEFA Europa League.

UEFA's Executive Council is set to hold its next meeting on Dec. 3, though an extraordinary meeting could be convened before that date.

UEFA sent a message last month ahead of the Super Cup between Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain, with a banner on the field reading: "Stop killing children. Stop killing civilians."

FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia in February 2022 following the country's invasion of Ukraine, with the ban ongoing more than three years later.

The UN experts added that its call to ban Israel should only apply to teams from the country rather than individual players, in the same fashion as Russia's ban.

“Once again, we urge FIFA to stop legitimizing the situation arising from Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” the experts said.

“There is a legal and moral imperative to take every measure possible to end the genocide in Gaza now.”

This article originally appeared on Pro Soccer Wire: UN panel calls on FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israel from international competition

Reporting by Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire / Pro Soccer Wire

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