An Italian lawmaker has formally called on the leaders of global sport to examine possible sanctions against Israel over the impact of the conflict on Palestinian athletes and sports infrastructure.
Laura Boldrini, Chair of the Standing Committee on Human Rights in the Italian Chamber of Deputies, sent an official letter dated March 10, 2026, to Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC); Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA; and Aleksander Čeferin, president of UEFA, urging them to review the situation of Palestinian sport amid the ongoing conflict.
The appeal follows a February 12, 2026 hearing held by the parliamentary committee in Rome with Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, which has been officially recognized by the IOC since 1993. Rajoub attended the session alongside Palestinian national swimmer Valerie Tarazi, Palestinian Football Association spokesperson and former national team captain Dima Said, and men’s national team head coach Ihab Abu Jazar.
During the hearing, Rajoub presented a report titled **“The Impact of Israeli Aggression on the Palestinian Sports Sector.”** According to the document, hundreds of Palestinian athletes have been killed and thousands more injured since the escalation of hostilities in Gaza and the West Bank. The report claims that **684 athletes affiliated with 34 Palestinian sports federations and institutions** have died during the conflict, while stadiums and sports facilities across multiple disciplines have been destroyed or severely damaged, causing losses estimated in the millions of dollars.
The report also alleges that the ability of Palestinian athletes to train and compete internationally has been severely affected by restrictions on movement imposed by Israeli authorities. According to testimony presented during the hearing, such restrictions prevent many athletes from leaving their territories to participate in competitions abroad and limit the ability to host sporting events within Palestinian areas.
Another issue raised during the hearing concerns football clubs participating in Israeli domestic competitions that are based in settlements in the West Bank. According to Boldrini’s letter, at least **nine clubs located in settlements considered illegal under international law by the United Nations** are competing in the Israeli league system, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Israeli Football Association.
In her communication to the international sports bodies, Boldrini argued that the situation raises serious questions regarding the **Olympic Charter**, which defines sport as a fundamental human right and calls for participation without discrimination while respecting internationally recognized human rights.
She also noted that similar principles are embedded in the statutes of FIFA and UEFA, emphasizing that membership in the Olympic movement requires adherence to universal ethical standards, human dignity, and equal access to sport.
Citing historical precedents, Boldrini pointed out that the IOC has previously suspended nations for violating these principles, including South Africa during the apartheid era and Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
In her letter, the Italian parliamentarian urged the heads of the IOC, FIFA and UEFA to examine the situation and consider whether measures similar to those taken in past cases should be applied if violations of sporting principles are confirmed.
“I call upon you, within your respective responsibilities, to ensure that the government of Israel ends policies that are destroying every aspect of Palestinian life, including sport,” Boldrini wrote, adding that international sporting institutions must evaluate whether sanctions should be considered based on the documented allegations.
The international sports organizations have not yet publicly responded to the request.
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