{
  "id": 3947649,
  "title": "How football's governing bodies support illegal Israeli settlement clubs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/how-footballs-governing-bodies-support-illegal-israeli-settlement",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T11:00:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-football-governing-bodies-support-illegal-israeli-settlement-clubs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "How football's governing bodies support illegal Israeli settlement clubs\n\nPalestinian football faces numerous challenges due to the ongoing Israeli occupation, with facilities frequently destroyed or rendered inaccessible by Israeli checkpoints and military closures. Despite these hardships, football teams in illegal Israeli settlements continue to thrive and even receive financial support from international football bodies.\n\nAn investigation by Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) and Bridges Investigations for Middle East Eye has uncovered that Israeli clubs based in illegal settlements receive backing from the Israel Football Association (IFA) and international governing bodies FIFA and UEFA. FIFA, which claims to respect human rights, has not taken action against these settlement clubs and even broadcasts their matches on its platform, Fifa+.\n\nMahdi al-Assi, a Palestinian goalkeeper, shares his experiences of the difficulties faced by Palestinian players. He must often endure hours at Israeli checkpoints just to reach a training ground, and training sessions themselves can be disrupted by raids and tear gas. Despite these obstacles, the floodlights are on at a football pitch within the illegal settlement of Givat Ze'ev, where the Beitar Givat Ze'ev team trains on land considered occupied Palestinian territory.\n\nThe Israeli Football Association (IFA) has expanded its reach, with nine clubs associated with illegal settlements operating domestically. FIFA's inaction and financial support for these clubs has raised concerns, particularly given the 2022 elections in Israel and the subsequent escalation of the conflict in Gaza, which has led to widespread destruction of sports facilities in the West Bank and the occupied territory.",
  "summary": "How football's governing bodies support illegal Israeli settlement clubs Submitted by Mahmoud Elsobky on Tue, 08/25/2026 - 13:25 While Palestinian facilities are either destroyed or crippled by Israeli checkpoints, Fifa and Uefa are continuing to prop up Israeli settlement teams Israeli players from the Ironi Ariel football club attend a training session at their stadium in the illegal Israeli…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Democratic senators demand Israeli government halt West Bank settlement expansion plans",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/democratic-senators-demand-israeli-government-halt-west-bank",
        "published": "2026-08-28T12:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "UK has billions in contracts with firms tied to illegal Israeli settlements",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/uk-has-billions-in-contracts-with-firms-tied-to-illegal-israeli",
        "published": "2026-08-28T13:40:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}