SAFA demand FIFA Red Card Isreal!

Date: 22nd August, 2025
To: The President and Executive Committee  South African Football Association (SAFA)

 
Dear President Danny Jordaan and Members of the SAFA Executive Committee,

We, the undersigned, write to you as concerned South Africans, sports lovers, human rights advocates, and members of civil society who believe in justice, equality, and the principles enshrined in the FIFA Statutes.

Football is not just a sport; it is a universal language that unites people across borders and cultures. Yet, as millions celebrate the beautiful game, Palestinian footballers, clubs, and fans are being systematically denied this very right due to Israel’s ongoing genocide, occupation, apartheid policies, and violations of international law. Today we are seeing hundreds of football players being murdered in Gaza by Israel.

 
Why We Call on SAFA to Act

South Africa has a proud history of using sport as a tool for justice and transformation. The suspension of apartheid South Africa from FIFA until 1992 remains a powerful reminder that sport cannot exist in isolation from basic human rights. 

Today, Israel has been exposed by reputable international bodies, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Special Rapporteurs, of committing grave violations against Palestinians, including:

The deliberate targeting and destruction of sports facilities in Gaza;
The killing and maiming of Palestinian footballers and athletes;
Severe restrictions on freedom of movement for Palestinian teams and officials; Systematic discrimination in violation of FIFA’s own statutes on equality and non-discrimination. Despite repeated complaints lodged by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), FIFA has failed to take decisive action.

Instead of being on the right side of History SAFA instead has supported the arrest of Red Card Israel activists. This is completely disgraceful. 

We call on SAFA to:

Publicly declare its position in support of Palestinian footballers and clubs, in line with South Africa’s historical stance against oppression and apartheid and Call for FIFA to give Israel the Red Card.

Table an urgent motion at the next FIFA Congress demanding the expulsion of Israel from FIFA and all international football competitions until it fully complies with international law and respects the rights of Palestinian athletes.

Engage the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and other progressive football associations to build a united continental and global position demanding accountability from FIFA.

Apologise for  the arrest of Loftus 5 Red Card Israel activists during the South Africa vs Malawi soccer match. 

As South Africans, we understand better than most the impact of sporting isolation on an oppressive regime. Our country’s liberation struggle taught the world that silence in the face of injustice is complicity.

The principles of equality, dignity, and human rights — embedded within both the FIFA Charter and South Africa’s Constitution — require SAFA to lead with moral clarity. We cannot allow Israel’s violations to be ignored while Palestinian footballers continue to face persecution and exclusion from the global football community.

We call on SAFA stop being on the wrong side of history and echo the global demand for justice.

We, the undersigned, urge you to act now and ensure that South Africa continues to uphold its proud tradition of using sport as a vehicle for freedom and solidarity.