News - World: Swiss politicians have called for the removal of the tax-exempt status granted to UEFA, stating that European football’s governing body is complicit in what they describe as Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.

In a joint statement, local and national parliamentarians urged the government to put the issue to a vote and suspend UEFA’s preferential status until the organization “ends its complicity in the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.”

They cited a July 19, 2024, International Court of Justice ruling that found Israel was illegally occupying Palestinian land, including the West Bank.

UEFA, headquartered in Switzerland, has long benefited from tax exemptions granted to international sports federations on the premise that they promote peace and combat racism and discrimination. Lawmakers said the organization no longer upholds those values.

“As an international federation, (UEFA) has long benefited from a tax exemption granted specifically because international sports federations play an important role in promoting peace and combating racism and discrimination,” the statement said.

“UEFA has long placed these concerns at the heart of its decisions.”

Swiss politicians stated that by maintaining tax-exempt status for UEFA, Swiss taxpayers are indirectly supporting activities of the Israeli Football Association, which fields teams that play in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. 

“UEFA enjoys preferential tax treatment in Switzerland. This comes with certain obligations, including promoting the values of peace,” said Raphael Mahaim, a member of the Swiss National Council.

He added that Israel’s “double standards” in addressing racism and discrimination were unacceptable. “A double standard is unacceptable,” he said.

International football bodies have come under growing criticism over the issue of Israeli settlement clubs. Activist groups and some national associations have long argued that teams based in settlements on occupied land breach FIFA and UEFA rules and violate international law.

FIFA, too, is facing increasing criticism. A global advocacy organization recently filed a complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee over the body's failure to uphold its commitments to peace, anti-racism and non-discrimination.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has drawn scrutiny for what critics describe as reluctance to confront Israel over teams based in settlements.

Infantino also faced criticism last week after presenting US President Donald Trump with FIFA’s peace medal during the 2026 World Cup draw.

Trump received the medal after failing to secure the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, prompting further criticism that FIFA is disregarding its stated principles.

Swiss lawmakers said that unless UEFA’s practices change, Switzerland should withdraw the tax privileges that have long been justified on the basis of promoting fairness, justice and peace.

Source: Press TV