By: Yusuf Dindar
When Russia invaded Ukraine, FIFA acted swiftly. Russian clubs and national teams were suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions “until further notice.” Yet when it comes to Israel, despite the devastation and atrocities in Gaza, FIFA suddenly hides behind the language of neutrality, unity and “football cannot solve geopolitical problems.”
So the question must be asked: why one standard for Russia, and another standard for Israel?
Gianni Infantino’s FIFA appears firm when the politics suit the West, but cautious when Palestine is involved. That is why many across the Global South see a dangerous double standard. It creates the perception that football’s moral compass is not universal, it is selective.
Then we look further. Infantino has embraced the United States at the centre of world football. He even created and awarded the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump, a move that shocked many because FIFA had never before operated in this way.
Now connect the dots.
The United States is central to FIFA’s current power structure. Israel enjoys strong protection from Washington. Argentina, under Javier Milei, has become one of the most openly pro-Israel governments in the world, even pledging to move its embassy to Jerusalem.
So when Argentina appear to receive favourable treatment, when Global South nations feel overlooked, when controversial decisions seem to fall one way, people are entitled to ask: is this still football, or has geopolitics entered the field?
We are not saying there is a signed document. We are not saying there is smoking-gun proof. But football is also about perception. And right now, the perception is deeply troubling.
If FIFA can ban Russia, why can it not act against Israel?
If FIFA can preach peace, why honour a political figure so closely tied to global conflict and division?
If FIFA claims neutrality, why does its behaviour appear so aligned with the power centres of the United States, Israel and their allies?
For the Global South, this is bigger than Argentina. It is about whether football is truly equal. Whether African, Arab, Latin American and Asian nations compete on the same footing. Whether the laws of the game apply to all, or only to those outside the protection of global power.
Football belongs to the people. It does not belong to presidents, empires, lobby groups or political alliances. And until FIFA applies one standard to all nations, the people have every right to keep asking the question: who is FIFA really protecting?
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Yusuf Dindar hosts ‘Beyond The Game‘ on HilaalTV. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Salaamedia, its management, or its associated entities and partners.
