Turkish analyst criticizes FIFA president for 'insincere' stance on Gaza crisis
Turkish sports commentator Serkan Akkoyun has denounced FIFA President Gianni Infantino for what he described as hypocritical gestures during the ongoing Gaza crisis. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Akkoyun accused Infantino of failing the "test of sincerity" by attending a Gaza peace summit while remaining silent on Israel's military offensive in the region.
Hypocrisy in global sports leadership
Akkoyun criticized global sports authorities like FIFA and UEFA for framing the Gaza crisis as merely a "geopolitical issue." He argued that such detachment undermines the moral principles that sports are supposed to embody.
“What Israel is doing amounts to genocide, and they are deliberately targeting children,” Akkoyun said. “They are not only taking lives but destroying the future of Palestinian sports.”
He added that Gaza has already lost several football academies and young athletes to the conflict, calling it a "systematic project to erase Palestinians from every sphere of life, including sports." Despite calls from fans and sports communities to sanction Israel, Akkoyun noted that organizations like UEFA have yielded to political pressure, particularly from the United States.
Political influence in sports
Akkoyun referred to U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s public warning that Washington would intervene if UEFA moved to ban Israel. He claimed that FIFA and UEFA's stance on Israel reflects a troubling double standard in sports governance.
“FIFA banned South Africa during apartheid, Yugoslavia during the Balkan wars, and Russia just days after invading Ukraine,” Akkoyun said. “Why is Israel different? This double standard exposes the rot in global sports governance.”
Fans and athletes take a stand
While criticizing sports authorities, Akkoyun praised fans and athletes who have used their platforms to show solidarity with Gaza. He highlighted Mohamed Salah’s recent social media post, Lewis Hamilton’s advocacy, and protests by football supporters from Celtic and Athletic Bilbao.
In Turkey, he noted, football stadiums have become platforms for Palestinian solidarity, with banners and flags displayed regularly. The Turkish Football Federation has also written to UEFA, urging Israel’s removal from competitions. Akkoyun suggested that Turkish clubs could further protest symbolically during matches against Israeli teams.
“We can play but protest smartly,” Akkoyun said. “Let’s wear kits in Palestinian colors, turn silence into visible defiance, and refuse to shake hands.”
Justice and accountability
Akkoyun emphasized that any peace effort in Gaza must include accountability for Israel’s actions. He warned that a ceasefire alone would not resolve the crisis or address the injustices faced by Palestinians.
“Israel must face consequences for what it’s done – in sports and beyond,” he said. “Otherwise, history will keep repeating itself.”
He concluded by reminding audiences that Gaza’s struggles go back decades and are fundamentally a human issue, not just a political one.
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