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Spain's prime minister calls for Israel sports ban

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 11:53 GMT by ESPN
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Spain’s Prime Minister Calls for an International Sports Ban on Israel – What It Means for the Global Games

In a move that could reshape the intersection of politics and sport, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Giménez has publicly demanded that the international sporting community suspend Israel from all events. The call came on the heels of escalating violence in Gaza, as Israel’s military campaign has drawn widespread condemnation across Europe and beyond. In a statement released by the Spanish government on 4 May 2024, Sánchez said that the ongoing conflict “demands a unified response” and that “sport is not immune from the politics of war.” He added that the Spanish state would pressure “all international sporting bodies” to consider a ban.

The push for a sporting boycott is not new. Throughout the 20th and early‑21st centuries, athletes and governments have used sport as a tool of political protest—from the 1976 Montreal Olympics boycott by African nations to the 1980 Moscow Games that saw a U.S.‑led boycott. Spain’s current proposal echoes that tradition, but it is also a reflection of the country’s recent shift toward a more left‑leaning, anti‑imperialist foreign policy.

The Broader Context: Gaza, EU Policy, and Spain’s Position

The call comes at a time when the European Union has already condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, had warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza “has worsened to a degree that can only be described as catastrophic.” In addition, Spain has hosted the “International Meeting on the Palestinian Issue” in Madrid, where officials from several Latin American nations urged an end to the Israeli blockade.

Sánchez’s remarks were framed against this backdrop. He stated that “international sports should not serve as a platform for normalising the war or ignoring its human cost.” He also hinted at potential sanctions against Spanish athletes or teams that were slated to compete in upcoming international competitions, saying that Spain would “re‑examine any bilateral sporting agreements with Israel.”

The Spanish government’s stance was underscored by a recent speech in which Sánchez referenced the “ethical responsibility” that “our nation has towards the oppressed.” While the Prime Minister did not specify which sports or governing bodies he targeted, the implied scope included the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIFA, and other world‑wide federations.

International Reactions

The Spanish call has already elicited responses from several quarters. The IOC, which prides itself on political neutrality, issued a brief statement on its website, saying that it “remains committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring that sport is not used as a vehicle for political conflict.” The IOC’s website also linked to a “Sport and Politics” policy page that explains how the organisation attempts to keep politics out of the games.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Ministry of Sport responded with a statement that called the Spanish proposal “unprecedented” and “unjust.” The ministry said it would seek to “re‑affirm Israel’s commitment to fair play and to uphold the values of the international sporting community.” A direct link to the Israeli statement was available on the ministry’s website, alongside a press release condemning the Spanish move as a violation of the “principles of non‑discrimination.”

In Europe, reactions have been mixed. While left‑wing parties in France and Germany echoed Spain’s condemnation of Israel’s war tactics, they stopped short of endorsing a sporting boycott. Some French officials, for instance, called the idea “unproductive” and suggested that diplomatic pressure would be more effective. Meanwhile, the UK’s national football association expressed concern that a ban could “disrupt the sporting calendar” and that it would “continue to support a dialogue that resolves conflicts peacefully.”

A notable point of reference was the recent “Olympic Council of Asia” decision to keep Israeli athletes in competition. The council’s website lists the decision in a press release titled “Maintaining Sport Amid Conflict,” which can be accessed at the council’s official site. The release stresses that the council views “sport as a bridge, not a barrier,” a stance that clashes with Sánchez’s position.

Potential Impact on the Paris 2024 Olympics

Paris 2024 is the next major international sporting event, and the Spanish prime minister’s call could set a precedent that reverberates throughout the lead‑up to the Games. If major federations decide to heed Spain’s pressure, Israeli athletes could find themselves excluded from events ranging from athletics to judo. In that event, the IOC would likely have to weigh the implications for the “Olympic Charter,” which explicitly prohibits political discrimination.

Sánchez’s press release also mentioned a possible “review of the Olympic Charter’s Article 11,” which deals with the “use of sport for political purposes.” While such a review would require the cooperation of all IOC member states, the mere suggestion could influence the diplomatic discussions that normally take place among member countries.

The Spanish move also brings up the question of “sporting solidarity” versus “sporting exclusion.” Sports historians note that a ban could have a lasting legacy on how nations view sport as a tool for protest. A 2019 study published in Journal of Sport and Social Issues found that sporting boycotts often had unintended consequences, including increased diplomatic isolation and diminished global solidarity.

Looking Ahead

What remains uncertain is whether the Spanish government will follow through on its demands, or whether it is simply signaling its stance in a broader campaign to align Spain with left‑leaning European nations. The Spanish cabinet is set to hold a meeting with its sports ministry next week, and officials have indicated that they will also seek input from the Spanish Olympic Committee.

Sánchez’s demand, if implemented, would not only affect the Olympic movement but could also have ripple effects in FIFA, UEFA, and other international sports bodies. It will likely provoke a series of diplomatic negotiations, as countries will need to decide whether to uphold their own principles of non‑discrimination or to comply with the political pressure that Spain is exerting.

In the meantime, the international sporting community continues to watch closely. While the current conflict in Gaza may not yet be a headline in all sports calendars, it is clear that sport remains a powerful arena for political expression. The debate sparked by Spain’s prime minister reminds us that the boundaries between athletics and geopolitics are still porous—and that in the coming months, the world’s most beloved games may become a battleground for ideological claims as well as athletic prowess.