Rabat – FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin have been named in a formal complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Advocacy groups accuse them of aiding war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israeli football clubs based in settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The complaint, a 120-page document, was filed on February 16 by Irish Sport for Palestine, Scottish Sport for Palestine, Just Peace Advocates, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, and Sport Scholars for Justice in Palestine.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his UEFA counterpart Aleksander Ceferin have been accused of “aiding war crimes” and “crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territory” in a complaint filed at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The formal complaint – a… pic.twitter.com/PYFO5r9ww1
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) February 20, 2026
According to The Athletic, the submission also included Palestinian footballers, clubs, landowners, and a human rights organization.
The allegations focus on FIFA and UEFA allowing settlement-based clubs to compete in leagues run by the Israel Football Association. These clubs host matches on land taken from Palestinians.
The groups argue that by permitting this, FIFA and UEFA provide financial and structural support to teams operating in illegal settlements. Some of these clubs have even played in UEFA competitions.
Israel disputes claims from the United Nations and the International Court of Justice that settlements in the West Bank violate international law.
In a statement to The Athletic, UEFA called the accusations “sensational and unsubstantiated.” The organization said it stands for “sport and humanity, not politics,” and refused to comment further. FIFA had not issued a response at the time of publication.
The ICC, based in The Hague, investigates individuals accused of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. While organizations cannot be prosecuted, leaders can be held accountable for policies and actions.
Double Standards in Global Football Governance
Amnesty International previously urged FIFA and UEFA to suspend the Israel Football Association until settlement clubs were removed. In September, UEFA considered a vote on Israel’s participation in European football but delayed the decision following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Infantino, speaking to Sky News earlier this month, rejected the idea of banning Israel. He said banning national teams is “a defeat” and suggested FIFA statutes could be changed to prevent such bans.
This position shows a clear contradiction. While both FIFA and UEFA resisted calls to sanction Israel, they were the same bodies that swiftly banned Russia from international football following its invasion of Ukraine.
Critics argue this double standard undermines claims that the organizations “stand for sport and humanity, not politics.”
The advocacy groups argue that FIFA and UEFA’s policies normalize life in settlements and legitimize occupation. They claim Palestinians are excluded from settlement clubs as players, managers, or spectators, describing this as apartheid under international law.
The ICC prosecutor will now review the complaint to decide if a formal investigation can move forward.
