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Amnesty Austria raises ‘end genocide’ banner during Austria-’Israel’ match
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- Amnesty International Austria displayed an “END GENOCIDE” banner during the Austria-’Israel’ UEFA Nations League match in Linz.
- The group called on UEFA and FIFA to suspend the ‘Israel’ Football Association over the participation of clubs based in ‘Israeli’ settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- FIFA said in March 2026 that it would take no action against the ‘Israel’ Football Association over the issue.
Amnesty International Austria displayed an “END GENOCIDE” banner inside the stadium during Thursday’s UEFA Nations League match between Austria and ‘Israel’ in Linz, directing attention to the war in Gaza and calling for action against the ‘Israel’ Football Association (IFA).
The rights group said its protest was aimed at sporting authorities and governments that, in its view, were failing to respond to violations of Palestinians’ rights.
“Football cannot become a shield for impunity,” Amnesty Austria said in a statement accompanying the protest. It called on UEFA and world soccer governing body FIFA to suspend the IFA and said international law should apply “on and off the pitch.”
Amnesty has previously accused the IFA of violating FIFA rules by allowing at least six clubs based in ‘Israeli’ settlements in the occupied West Bank to participate in ‘Israeli’ ‘leagues’.
The organization has called for the IFA’s suspension unless those clubs are excluded.
FIFA announced in March that it would take no action against the IFA over the participation of settlement-based clubs. The Palestinian Football Association subsequently challenged the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, according to Amnesty.
The protest came as ‘Israel’s’ men’s team began its 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign in League B, Group B3, alongside Austria, Ireland and Kosovo. Austria hosted ‘Israel’ in Linz on Thursday, while further fixtures between ‘Israel’ and Ireland have also drawn protests and calls for sanctions.
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