European Union Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef made a rare and pointed statement Monday in response to increasing calls to ban Israel from international sports events over the war in Gaza. Micallef said he believes “there is no place in sports for countries that do not act according to the values of the Union.”
“When it comes to sports, I believe there should be no place at sporting events for those who do not share our values,” Micallef told the Belgian outlet Politico when asked whether Israel should face sports sanctions over its actions in Gaza. “Sport is a tool we use to promote peace and a platform through which we champion human rights,” he added.
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European Union Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef
(Photo: Annegret Hilse/ Getty Images)
While Micallef did not refer to Israel directly, his remarks came in response to a question specifically related to how the sports world should react to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. “On the other hand, the world of sports is autonomous, and decisions are made there independently,” he said. “But we have an obligation and a responsibility to speak out on these issues and express how we feel.”
The commissioner’s comments come amid an escalation in diplomatic criticism of Israel from countries including France, Canada, the UK, Spain, Australia, Belgium, and several Scandinavian nations, all condemning the humanitarian toll in Gaza and the expansion of Israeli military operations.
International sports federations such as UEFA, FIFA, and FIBA have yet to formally respond to recent appeals regarding Israel’s participation. Should a move toward sanctions gain traction, it could have far-reaching consequences for Israeli national teams and athletes, particularly in regard to competing in tournaments under the Israeli flag—or at all.
Israel’s Football Association has long faced efforts by the Palestinian Football Association to impose sanctions, including formal complaints to FIFA alleging violations of international law. FIFA has twice rejected those motions, but did appoint a committee to investigate claims of discrimination by Israel’s association and concerns over holding matches in areas the Palestinians claim are “under occupation.”
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In response to Micallef’s comments, Yael Arad, chair of the Israeli Olympic Committee, issued a sharp rebuke:
“Sport is meant to bring people together, not drive them apart—certainly not to be used as a political weapon. The Olympic Committee of Israel operates in the spirit of Olympic values: equality, excellence, and mutual respect. We reject any attempt to boycott Israeli athletes because of government policies or political positions,” Arad said.
“Over the years we have shown that sports cooperation is possible even in times of political disagreement. Calls to boycott Israel do nothing to promote peace—they harm the athletes themselves and undermine the core of the Olympic movement. The very notion that some in the European Union are trying to link sport and its values to government policies is, in itself, a blatant violation of sporting values.
“Israeli athletes have consistently embodied an extraordinary spirit of sportsmanship, even in the face of the horrific October 7 attack and its aftermath. We are proud of them.”