Erica Cantona has sparked fury after he called for Israel to be banned from the world cup over its ongoing war in Gaza. 

At a concert called Together 4 Palestine in London on Wednesday evening, a renowned football icon urged FIFA and UEFA to take measures against Israel. He highlighted the comparison with the sanctions that were imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. 

Speaking to the audience, the ex-footballer expressed: ‘Having played for France and Manchester United, I understand that international football transcends sport; it encompasses culture, politics, and acts as a form of soft power.

‘In a way that a country represents itself on a global stage, the time has come to suspend Israel from that privilege. 

‘Four days after Russia started a war in Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia.

‘We are now 716 days into what Amnesty International have called a genocide – and yet Israel continue to be allowed to participate.’

‘Why are there double standards? FIFA and UEFA should suspend Israel. Football clubs worldwide should refuse to compete against Israeli teams. Current players everywhere should also decline to play against Israeli teams. 

Cantona’s speech was met with approval from the crowds, who applauded and cheered. 

Erica Cantona has sparked fury after he called for Israel to be banned from FIFA and UEFA

The football icon spoke at the Together 4 Palestine concert in London on Wednesday night, urging football authorities to take steps against Israel

However, the sports legend’s appeals have received criticism, with opponents arguing that Cantona overlooks the violence occurring in Israel on October 7, which has fueled its ongoing offensive in Gaza. 

‘Looks like Cantona has taken one too many hits to the head. Is he unaware of who initiated the conflict with Israel? Why would FIFA and UEFA penalize those who were attacked,’ one individual commented on the social media platform X. 

Another said: ‘The truth is October 7 was the trigger to the current conflict. The idea Cantona has is that suspending Israel will make that day not matter, right?’.

‘Sports [and] art must be places of dialogue and not of exclusion. Peace cannot be made in Gaza by excluding Israel. This proposal by Cantona, who should stick to his field of competence, is stupid’. 

The French football star’s comments come after a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded this week that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. 

Israel has dismissed the findings as biased and based on unverified evidence. 

It also comes after Spain became the latest country to threaten not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest unless Israel is excluded from the competition. 

The Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia had already taken the same stance. Spain’s addition to the list puts more pressure on both Israel and the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the popular contest.

The French football star’s comments come after a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded this week that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza

Palestinians run as the 15-storey Mushtaha Tower collapses after being hit by an Israeli air strike, in Gaza City, September 5, 2025

Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025

Thick smoke rises from the area after the Israeli army launched intense attacks on residential areas and multi-story buildings where thousands of displaced Palestinians had taken refuge on al-Jalaa Street in Gaza City, Gaza, on September 19, 2025

A young girl reacts as displaced Palestinians elbow their way in front of a community kitchen in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on September 19, 2025

Spanish public broadcaster RTVE made the decision at a board meeting in Madrid.

The announcement comes as diplomatic ties between Spain and Israel frayed after large protests against the presence of a Israeli-owned cycling team disrupted the Spanish Vuelta race. 

Spain’s prime minister also said Monday that he would like Israel to be banned from sporting events.

Pedro Sanchez said: ‘It’s already happening in some parts of the world and we’ve seen how European governments are saying that as long as the barbarism continues, Israel can’t use any international platform to whitewash its presence.

‘And I think that sports organisations need to ask themselves whether it’s ethical for Israel to keep taking part in international competitions.’

A day after Encona’s remarks, a British lawmaker in Birmingham called on European football body UEFA to ‘urgently cancel’ soccer team Aston Villa’s November 6 Europa League match against Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘to ensure public safety and community harmony.’ UEFA has not shown any indication it will do so.

The war in Gaza began in 2023 when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 others. 

48 hostages remain in Gaza, around 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals.

The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 65,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.