FIFA and UEFA are facing an unprecedented legal challenge after a coalition of human rights organizations filed a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC). The complaint accuses FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin of complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the occupied Palestinian territories. The legal ramifications of this complaint could significantly impact the leadership and operations of these international football organizations, especially regarding their involvement with Israeli sports clubs operating out of illegal settlements.

The document, submitted on February 16, comprises 120 pages of evidence and is backed by a human rights coalition including organizations from Ireland and Scotland, along with the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. This coalition is bolstered by testimonies from players, clubs, and affected Palestinian individuals, aiming to shine a light on what they deem violations stemming from the inclusion of Israeli clubs based in these illegal settlements in official competitions.

The ICC's Office of the Prosecutor will now carry out a preliminary examination to determine whether the legal issues raised in the complaint warrant the opening of a full investigation. FIFA and UEFA have yet to respond to these accusations, leaving the organizations in a position of potential legal and reputational jeopardy if the ICC decides to pursue the matter further.