Mesut Ozil urges FIFA to end ‘double standards’ over Russia and Israel

Former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has accused FIFA of applying different standards to Russian and Israeli teams, calling on football’s world governing body to treat them equally.

Speaking during a friendly match between former Basaksehir players and Zenit, Ozil said football could help bring people together when it was not influenced by divisions based on race or religion.

“Football has always brought peace, as long as we do not focus on race or religion,” Ozil said. “The world of football always brings people together.”

He then criticised FIFA for its contrasting treatment of teams from Russia and Israel.

“As you know, FIFA did not impose any sanctions on Israeli teams, but it did so against Russian teams,” Ozil said. “I am calling on FIFA to stop applying double standards and to treat everyone equally.”

FIFA banned Russian teams from taking part in European and global competitions in 2022 because of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Israeli teams, however, have not faced sanctions despite what the source article describes as Israeli aggression against Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip.