A coming filing with the ICC accuses FIFA’s Gianni Infantino and UEFA’s Aleksander Čeferin of crimes against humanity for their financial support of settlement clubs.

It’s likely you heard the surreal news that FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded Donald Trump a “Peace Prize” amid the backdrop of protest outside the Kennedy Center.

It’s less likely that you heard about a far more serious announcement the previous week: that Infantino will be formally accused of aiding and abetting Israeli war crimes against Palestinians.

The ICC filing parties will include a group of Palestinian footballers, Palestinian clubs, land owners, and advocacy groups Irish Sport for Palestine, Scottish Sport for Palestine, and Just Peace Advocates, with support from an expert legal team.

According to a public statement from the filing parties, Infantino, as well as Union of European Football Association President Aleksander Čeferin, are facing accusations that FIFA and UEFA funded settlement clubs—that is, football clubs that operate on land illegally seized from Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

    • athairmor@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      6 hours ago

      If I was a terrorist (I’m not), the World Cup in the USA would seem an excellent target. They’ve been making entry to the USA more and more difficult. But, they’ll have to let up if they want overseas visitors especially if it looks like interest is lagging. And, they’ve been focused so much on ‘undesirable’ countries and critics of the president that there’s got to be gaps in their normal security.

      I think people from everywhere would be wise to stay away.

    • PKscope@lemmy.worldEnglish
      13·
      19 hours ago

      I hope there are big boycotts and pickets outside, but knowing how the world is about football, people will be sneaking past ICE to get in the stadiums.