4th March 2024

In just 5 months, Israel has carried out the systematic slaughter of over 30 thousand Palestinians in Gaza, of which at least 12 thousand were underage; this is without even considering the more than 70 thousand people who were injured, 9 thousand of whom were children. The situation doesn’t get any better when we take into account the humanitarian crisis that is currently taking place following the Israeli siege and invasion of Palestinian land. According to the UN, over 96% of Gaza’s water supply has been deemed “unfit for human consumption”, this puts the health and hygiene situation at a breaking point. Almost 1.9 million of the 2.4 million residents of Gaza have been displaced, and nearly a million of them are children. Most people have sought shelter in Rafah, which has been subjected to Israel’s bombings for the past few days, these bombings set the tone for a further drastic deterioration of the situation, an escalation of violence and brutality that must be recognized for what it is: genocide. Being broadcasted live to the entire world as we speak.

In light of the unspeakable horrors that are ensuing in Gaza, which we bear witness to daily through mainstream and non-mainstream media;

In light of the bombings which largely target hospitals and medical staff (including internationally recognized NGOs), and have caused the massacre of over 340 doctors and nurses, the destruction of 30 hospitals and 123 ambulances, directly contravening Art. 18 of the Geneva Conventions, according to which “Civilian hospitals organized to give care to the wounded and sick, the infirm and maternity cases, may in no circumstances be the object of attack, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict.”;

In light of the bombings that have destroyed over 100 schools and universities, and further damaged 295 more, in what is a clear violation of Art. 4 of Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions (“Basic Rule”) of 1977, which ensures respect for and protection of the civilian population and civilian objects, obligating the Parties in conflict to distinguish at all times between the civilian population and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives.

In light of the over 120 journalists who have been murdered, despite art. 79 of the Geneva Conventions, which states that “Journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict shall be considered as civilians, and protected as such, provided that they take no action adversely affecting their status as civilians.”, and the violation of which constitutes a war crime.

In light of the over 116 members of UNRWA personnel killed by Israeli bombings, in what is the highest death toll ever recorded by a United Nations Agency during a war.

In light of the destruction of almost all the sports facilities present in Gaza, of the stadiums and of the structures belonging to the Palestinian Football Association, as declared by the president of the Federations, Jibril Rajoub: “The Israeli occupation has targeted sports facilities and the locations of the associations. The Yarmouk stadium has been turned into a detention center. This is an egregious violation of the Olympic Charter.”;

In light of the over 71 Palestinian football players, and the dozens of coaches and Palestinian executives who have been murdered by the IDF, as well as the various positions taken by Italian football fans in favor of peace, against the bombings that are unfolding on the Gaza Strip, that serve as a testament to a widespread disagreement within our football league system, condemning Israel's actions;

We believe that football isn’t meant to be perceived as a daydream that’s completely detached from reality, but instead, it should help contribute to building a sense of humanity, solidarity, and peace;

We believe that we should strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in every aspect of our lives. A ceasefire will serve as a strong precursor to help achieve a just and lasting peace that will allow the Palestinian population to exist and live free of the burden of occupation and colonialism;

We’re asking FIGC (Italian Football Federation) to comply with the request submitted by the 12 West Asian Football Federations, who have invited FIFA, the football confederations, and the affiliated associations (including FIGC) to unite in taking a definite stand against the atrocities that are currently being perpetuated in Palestine, and the war crimes that are befalling Gaza, condemning the slaughter of innocent civilians, among which are players, coaches, referees, and officials, Condemning the destruction of sports facilities and demanding the adoption of a united front to isolate the Israeli Football Association from all football-related activities, until these acts of hostility cease.

In asking this, we remind that commensurate with the war between Russia and Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA have implemented this same measure against the Russian national team and clubs, forbidding them from participating in international competitions.

Failing to do so, in a situation that according to the International Court of Justice itself - the highest judicial body of the UN - could constitute a true genocide, it would mean turning a blind eye, refusing to recognize those same values that sporting institutions profess they want to abide by and promote. It would make the FIGC an accomplice of Israel and its systematic genocide of the Palestinian people.

Italian football must not ignore this gross miscarriage of justice and must own up to its responsibilities, which it will be faced in next autumn’s Nations League, when our National team on September 9th will have to travel to Israel, to then host Tel Aviv selection the following October 14th and when Fiorentina will host Maccabi Haifa for the Conference League Round of 16, the following March 14th.

petitioners:

  • Calcio&Rivoluzione - Collettivo di controinformazione
  • Camilla Valerio - Giornalista Freelance
  • Giovanni Panice - Tifoso
  • Marialaura Scatena - Giornalista di Sportellate.it
  • Valerio Moggia - Pallonate in Faccia
  • Africa Academy Calcio Livorno - Squadra di calcio
  • AC Ales - Squadra di calcio
  • A.P.D. Hic Sunt Leones Football Antirazzista Bologna - Squadra di calcio
  • ASD Athletic Brighela - Associazione di Sport Popolare Bergamo
  • ASD Athletic Reggio Emilia - Squadra di calcio
  • ASD Calcio senza confini - Squadra dilettantistica affiliata Uisp
  • ASD Casalino 1964 - Società Sportiva Dilettantistica
  • ASD Intrecciante - Squadra di calcio
  • ASD La Grav It - Squadra di calcio
  • ASD La Paz Antirazzista - Squadra di calcio
  • ASD Polisportiva San Precario
  • ASD Socrates Carpignano - Squadra di calcio
  • ASD Unione Sportiva Stella Rossa - Polisportiva - Squadra di calcio
  • ASD Villa Gordiani - Squadra di calcio
  • Dopolavoro Calcio Popolare Salento - Squadra di Calcio
  • DLF Brescia Calcio - Squadra di calcio a 7
  • Gsd Colonia Julia Usellus - Squadra di Calcio
  • Lokomotiv Jurka - Squadra di calcio
  • OCB Football Club - Squadra di calcio a 7
  • Paco Rigore - Squadra di calcio
  • Polisportiva Olimpica Grugliasco - Squadra di calcio
  • Polisportiva Open Milano ASD - Squadra di calcio
  • Popolare Trebesto - Squadra di calcio
  • Spartak Braga Bologna - Squadra di calcio a 7
  • Spartak Lecce - Squadra di calcio
  • Stella Rossa 2006 - Squadra di calcio
  • Torpedo Roma Calcio - Squadra di calcio a 5 maschile e femminile
  • United l’Aquila - Squadra di calcio
  • Acciao Ternana - Curva Est Ternana - Tifoseria
  • Allentati Fasano - Tifoseria
  • Annebbiati Zona Ovest - Invisibili Bisaccia - Tifoseria
  • Anxa Rebel - Lanciano - Tifoseria
  • Bad Brainz - Campobasso - Tifoseria
  • Brigata Biancoverde Siena 2012 - Mens Sana Basket - Tifoseria
  • Brigata Gagarin - Curva Est Ternana - Tifoseria
  • CN69 - Tifoseria
  • Commando Ultra Rieti 1997 - Tifoseria
  • Club Napoli Belgio - Club di tifosə
  • Fans 1946 Francavilla Fontana - Curva Sud - Tifoseria
  • Gioventù Disagiata - Rimini Basket - Tifoseria
  • Greppi Ostile - Tifoseria
  • Ingrifati Perugia - Tifoseria
  • Skalea Cosenza Fans - Tifoseria
  • Tifoseria del GsD Colonia Julia Usellus - Tifoseria
  • Viola Club Milano Brianza - Club di tifosə
  • Alessandro Sbarile - Osservatore arbitrale
  • Alessandro De Matteis - Calciatore
  • Andrea Borghi - Vice Allenatore Amor Sportiva
  • Angelo Meninno - Calciatore dell’ASD Socrates Carpigano
  • Antonio de Matteo - Artista e simpatizzante del Napoli
  • Antonio Saladino - Allenatore cat.E
  • Cosimo Giorgino - Arbitro
  • Daiana Cauteruccio - Calciatrice One Love Savona
  • Damiano Leonardi - Direttore Generale Società Dilettantistica
  • Daniele D’Adamo - Team Manager Primavera U.S. Avellino 1912
  • Daniele La Spina - Giornalista de Mola TV
  • Daniele Valente - Istruttore di calcio di base
  • Davide Bernardi - Allenatore della Popolare Trebesto
  • Deema Yousef - Portavoce Ufficiale Federazione Calcistica Palestinese (PFA)
  • Edoardo Molinelli - Scrittore e Redattore de “Linea Mediana”
  • Emiliano Gabrielli - Allenatore Attività di Base
  • Emiliano Palpacelli - Calciatore della HSL Football Antirazzista
  • Enrico Quaglio - Calciatore della HSL Football Antirazzista
  • Ernesto Scaglione - Vicepresidente Asd Red&White
  • Fabio Muscas - Calciatore del GsD Colonia Julia Usellus
  • Federica Demurtas - Ex Calciatrice
  • Filomena Canino - Filmmaker per FSE e Fan.TasticFemales
  • Fishwick Rangers - Allenatore
  • Francesco Scordamaglia - Presidente Italiano Lehoiak Taldea Athletic Bilbao ed Allenatore UEFA B
  • Franco Narrucci - Presidente Africa Academy Calcio Livorno
  • Gabriele Moretti - Giornalista di Sportellate.it
  • Gianluca Losito - Giornalista di Amica9
  • Gianluca Lupo - Allenatore
  • Gianluca Scaduto - Giornalista di Tuttosport
  • Giovanni Salomone - Direttore Editoriale Garrincha Edizioni
  • Giulio Morandi - Calciatore dell’AC Macallesi
  • Giuseppe Del Vecchio - Dirigente Accompagnatore
  • Giuseppe Genchi - Presidente ASD Supergiovane Castelbuono
  • Guido Mascioli - Vice fiduciario addetto agli impianti da gioco nella provincia di Rimini
  • Kat Pijetlovic - Co-founder of the Union of European Clubs
  • Lamberto Rinaldi - Giornalista de Il Catenaccio
  • Leyla Hamed - Giornalista di The Athletic
  • Lorenzo Sorianiello - Giornalista di CalcioNapoli24
  • Lorenzo Trogni - Calciatore
  • Luca Amorosi Giornalista de La Nazione - Collaboratore redazione di Arezzo per lo sport
  • Luca Brindisino - Giornalista de La Penna Verde
  • Luca Panzeri - Allenatore under 9 Real Calepina
  • Manuel Muscas - Calciatore del GsD Colonia Julia Usellus
  • Marco Balestrazzi - Redattore 12TvParma e Radio Parma
  • Massimiliano Iollo - Giornalista di Sportellate.it
  • Massimo Verga - Arbitro
  • Matteo Coletti - Giornalista
  • Matteo Feriani - Allenatore UEFA cat.B
  • Mattia Maurizi - Arbitro di calcio
  • Matteo Leto - Dirigente sportivo
  • Matteo Mazzella - Giornalista di un magazine indipendente di calcio negli Stati Uniti
  • Michele Lamanna - Dirigente ASD Rebaudengo
  • Mohamed Norri - Giornalista
  • Muhamed Alghoul - Calciatore del NK Jarun Zagabria ed ex under21 della Croazia
  • Natali Shaheen - Calciatrice della Nazionale Palestinese e del Real SunService Sassari
  • Nicholas Gineprini - Giornalista di allasianfootball.com
  • Oscar Cini - Calciatore di Seconda Categoria
  • Ossama Aboutaoufik - Calciatore
  • Play 4 Gaza - Collettivo di Giornalistə
  • Roberto Colombo - Giornalista di Tuttosport
  • Roberto Consiglio - Giornalista di Sportpopolare.it
  • Silvia Columbo - Calciatrice calcio a 5
  • Simone Bettati - Calciatore
  • Simone Tommasi - Giornalista di Sportellate.it
  • Sportpopolare.it - Sito di controinformazione sportiva
  • Tommaso Maschio - Giornalista di Tuttomercatoweb.com
  • US Montenero - Addetto stampa della squadra
  • Walid Chouhani - Calciatore
  • Xabier Fernández Monje - Ex addetto stampa Athletic Club di Bilbao
  • Vito Lapenna - Calciatore