Israel is to host the U.E.F.A. Under 21s competition in 2013. Yet, Israeli jails house around 4,000 Palestinian political prisoners, more than 300 of them "administrative detainees" held without charge or trial. One of these is a footballer from Gaza, Mahmoud Sarsak, aged 25. He has been imprisoned for nearly three years. No charge, no trial. In desperation, he has been on hunger strike for more than 80 days and is now close to death. He, and all victims of abuse by the Israeli state, need our support.

Éric Cantona is amongst a list of signatories calling on UEFA to take urgent and official action. Please add your name.

Also sign and share with francophones this petition to Michel Platini in French: http://www.change.org/petitions/michel-platini-pr%C3%A9sident-de-l-uefa-agir-pour-sauver-la-vie-de-mahmoud-al-sarsak-footballeur-palestinien

For more background, see 'Palestinian sports community appeal to UEFA – Red Card Israeli Apartheid' http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/letter-to-platini-7377