Gaza Herald _ A formal legal complaint has been submitted to the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying that the presidents of FIFA and UEFA bear responsibility for facilitating war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The filing, submitted on 16 February 2026, accuses FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin of aiding and abetting violations outlined in the Rome Statute. Specifically, the complaint alleges their involvement in supporting the transfer of civilian populations into occupied territory and contributing to the system of apartheid imposed on Palestinians.
Settlement-Based Clubs at the Center of Allegations
The complaint focuses on FIFA and UEFA’s continued recognition of Israeli football clubs located in settlements established on occupied Palestinian land. These settlements are widely regarded under international law as illegal.
According to the submission, both governing bodies have allowed settlement-based clubs to compete within the Israeli Football Association’s framework and to host matches on occupied land. Additionally, FIFA and UEFA are accused of providing financial assistance and institutional backing to these clubs, with some even participating in UEFA competitions.
Claims of Legitimising Occupation and Apartheid
The filing argues that FIFA and UEFA’s policies effectively normalize and reinforce Israel’s settlement enterprise, which is considered illegal under international law. It further claims that such actions facilitate the relocation of civilians into occupied areas, in violation of Article 8 of the Rome Statute.
The complaint also asserts that these practices contribute to apartheid conditions, as Palestinians are reportedly prohibited from attending matches, joining these clubs, or holding leadership roles within them. Settlement expansion is described as part of a broader colonial project, with FIFA and UEFA’s leadership accused of enabling and reinforcing these structures.
Allegations of Ignoring Human Rights Warnings
According to the complaint, both Infantino and Čeferin were aware of the legal and human rights implications of their policies. Despite receiving repeated warnings and communications from United Nations human rights experts, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and members of the European Parliament, they allegedly failed to take corrective action.
Accusations of Political Coordination
The submission also claims that FIFA and UEFA leadership cooperated with senior officials from Israeli and U.S. governments to ensure the continued participation of Israeli settlement clubs while shielding them from disciplinary measures.
It further alleges that FIFA leadership rejected calls from the Palestine Football Association to assert jurisdiction over its territory. The complaint also references warnings issued by FIFA’s own Israel-Palestine Monitoring Committee, which reportedly found that maintaining the status quo lacked international legitimacy and recommended sanctions or expulsion of settlement clubs.
Similarly, UEFA is accused of extending its administrative authority into territory internationally recognised as falling under Palestinian jurisdiction, effectively undermining the Palestine Football Association and its affiliation with the Asian Football Confederation.
Call for ICC Accountability
Legal representatives behind the complaint described the case as a significant opportunity for the ICC to establish accountability for powerful global sports institutions. They argued that FIFA and UEFA operate as influential regulatory bodies with revenues exceeding the gross domestic product of some countries, yet they lack meaningful oversight or accountability mechanisms for violations of international law.
The filing includes approximately 120 pages of legal arguments and supporting evidence submitted to the ICC prosecutor.
Parties Supporting the Complaint
The submission was filed by a coalition including Palestinian football players, Palestinian clubs, landowners, and a Palestinian human rights organization. Supporting advocacy groups include Irish Sport for Palestine, Scottish Sport for Palestine, Just Peace Advocates, Sport Scholars for Justice in Palestine, and Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor.
