Quick Sport Updates:
A coalition of organizations and fan groups has launched the #GameOverIsrael campaign, calling for European soccer federations to boycott the Israel national team and ban Israeli players from domestic competitions. The campaign, displayed on a billboard in New York's Times Square, comes months before the FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States in 2026, with New York set to host eight matches, including the final.
The campaign cites ongoing attacks in Gaza as the reason for the boycott. Protests have also disrupted several stages of the Vuelta a Espana, according to Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme, who described this as a "completely new phenomenon."
The campaign specifically targets soccer federations, but does not mention any other sports or competitions. It calls on soccer federations in Belgium, England, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Scotland, and Spain to join the boycott.
Meanwhile, in the world of ice hockey, the NHL has reinstated Carter Hart, one of five players acquitted of sexual assault charges in 2018. Hart will be eligible to sign contracts and play from December 1. However, his agent has announced that he will not sign with the Philadelphia Flyers when he returns to the NHL next month, seeking a "fresh start."
In a separate development, France rugby players Manae Feleu and Axelle Berthoumieu have been banned from the Women's Rugby World Cup. Feleu's three-match ban for a dangerous tackle was upheld, while Berthoumieu's 12-match ban for biting was reduced to nine games after an apology.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's national executive director, Abed Ayoub, stated that Americans must not allow stadiums to become platforms for whitewashing war crimes. This sentiment seems to be reflected in the #GameOverIsrael campaign, which has gained significant attention and support.
As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues, the #GameOverIsrael campaign adds a new layer of anticipation and debate, with many questioning the role of sports in political and social issues.
