• Italian football coaches demand Israel's suspension from international competitions.
• The request aims to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Italy's national team is scheduled to play Israel in World Cup qualifiers soon.
• AIAC describes the initiative as a "moral imperative."
• Concerns over rising Palestinian casualties now exceeding 62,000.

Italian football coaches are calling for the suspension of Israel from international competitions due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Association of Italian Coaches (AIAC) recently wrote to the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina, urging action to be taken regarding their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Israel, which are scheduled for September and October 2025, according to aa and trtglobal.

The AIAC characterized the move as a "necessary choice," driven by "moral imperatives" and a commitment to the values of humanity. Renzo Ulivieri, the association's president, stated, "The values of humanity, which underpin those of sport, compel us to oppose acts of oppression," highlighting the grave consequences of the conflict, according to aljazeera and trtglobal.

The AIAC's letter also emphasizes that the ongoing violence has led to numerous casualties, affecting coaches, players, and civilians alike. "Given the daily massacres," the board argues, “it is legitimate, necessary, indeed a duty” to call for Israel’s temporary exclusion from sporting events, with a particular focus on the upcoming qualifying matches against Italy, according to aljazeera and aa.