Maurizio Sarri refuses to discuss calls for Israeli clubs to be excluded from Europe

Maurizio Sarri declined to discuss publicly whether Israeli clubs should be excluded from European competitions before Atalanta’s meeting with Apoel Tel Aviv in the qualifying round for the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.

Sarri, who took charge of Atalanta after Raffaele Palladino left the club at the end of the season, was asked about the wider debate during a news conference ahead of the tie.

“Excluding Israeli clubs from European competitions? I represent this club and, as a professional, I have to focus on the match assigned to me with the aim of winning. That is the professional approach,” said Sarri.

He added: “If you want to ask me about my personal opinion on this matter, you should do so in private.”

Israeli clubs remain involved in European competitions despite calls from a number of federations and players for them to be excluded because of what those groups describe as the genocide against the people of Gaza.

The issue has prompted continued debate within football, while Russian clubs have been absent from European competitions since 2022 because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Sarri’s comments came as Atalanta prepared for their European qualifying tie against Apoel Tel Aviv. The Italian club secured a place in the UEFA Conference League after finishing seventh in Serie A.

The appointment of Sarri followed Palladino’s departure at the end of the previous campaign. Sarri brings extensive European experience to the role, including success in the UEFA Europa League with Chelsea.

His response focused on the immediate sporting responsibility facing Atalanta rather than the political questions surrounding the participation of Israeli clubs. As head coach, he said his duty was to represent the club professionally and concentrate on trying to win the fixture.

The match against Apoel Tel Aviv is therefore Atalanta’s route towards the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, with the club entering the competition after their seventh-place finish in Italy’s top flight.

Sarri previously won the UEFA Europa League during his time with Chelsea, giving him experience of managing in European competition. His latest European campaign begins with Atalanta in the qualifying round, while the wider discussion over the involvement of Israeli clubs remains unresolved.

The contrast with Russia’s continued exclusion also remains part of the debate around European football. Russian clubs have not taken part in European competitions since 2022 following the war in Ukraine, whereas Israeli clubs continue to compete despite the calls for sanctions made by various football bodies and players.