Adriano Amici, the president of ‘GS Emilia’, the race organizer, confirmed in a statement to a Western news agency that ‘the decision was made to ensure public safety,’ noting that the team ‘will unfortunately not be able to participate in the race.’ According to what Western media reported from two informed sources, the majority of the UEFA Executive Committee members, totaling 20, are inclined to support the proposal, which could open the door to suspending participation in international competitions affiliated with the union. However, uncertainty still surrounds the position of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), which holds the final say regarding World Cup tournaments. The close relationship between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump, as well as American support in organizing the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is seen as an influential factor that might lead FIFA to avoid any decision against Israel. Israel continues its war on the sector since October 2023, a war that has resulted in about 64,000 Palestinian casualties and approximately 163,000 injuries. It also conducts repeated air raids on several countries in the region, most notably Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Qatar, in addition to its war on Iran, which lasted 12 days.
