UEFA and FIFA are facing strong calls to ban Israel from football events after claims of war crimes in Gaza. Talks are now taking place at the top level of European football, though no ruling has been made yet.

UN experts have urged sanctions after a commission accused Israel of genocide, a charge that Israel denies while its fight with Hamas goes on. Some football fans have already protested. 

During a Europa League game in Greece on September 24, PAOK fans booed Maccabi Tel Aviv players, waved Palestinian flags, and raised a banner saying 'Show Israel the red card.'

Greek police detained protestors before the match, while Israeli fans were kept behind barriers for safety. Critics, like MP Ayoub Khan, have called on Aston Villa to refuse to play Maccabi in their upcoming clash. 

However, lawyers for Israel argue that football clubs should not face blame for war. UEFA has not made a final stand, but past cases, like Russia’s ban, add weight to the debate.

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Football’s nonstop push for more games is driving pro players toward burnout, warned the global players' group International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO). The report came out before the FIFA Club World Cup began, as it shows how the packed schedule puts player health, financials, and the future of the sport at risk.

Tim Bridge, a top sports business partner at Deloitte, said that there's a never-ending hunger for growth and fame. 'Everybody wants to be the biggest and the best. But there’s only so much “best�?to go around', he added. Bridge warned that players can get caught in a bad cycle without caution.

FIFPRO says only 13% of players in games like Euro 2024 or Copa América had the suggested 28-day break before the season. In response, they are asking for 12 proposed safeguards to protect players. Among the highlights are the following:

• A 4-week break after the season
• Rest between matches
• Four-week reconditioning period
• A limit on the number of games for players under 18

These ideas are backed by a study with 70 health and training experts. Over 75% of them agreed with each rule. FIFPRO and player groups in England and France have already gone to court against FIFA in the EU. With the ongoing tournament, FIFPRO is urging action before football loses its biggest stars.

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