Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has called on football's governing bodies to finally take a stand against Israel's war in Gaza. Both Amnesty International and a United Nations-commissioned inquiry has found that Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians in war-torn Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains unbowed, however, and has ordered the IDF to continue their offensive operations towards Gaza City. The humanitarian situation inside Gaza continues to get worse, sparking desperate appeals for sanctions against Israel.

Nevertheless, Israel's national team is still competing in World Cup qualifiers and Maccabi Tel Aviv are in the Europa League. Israel have not qualified for a World Cup since 1970, but are in the running to reach the 2026 edition, sitting third in their qualifying group.

Cantona has a history of political campaigning and spoke at the Together 4 Palestine gig in London on Wednesday night, where he called on FIFA and UEFA to take action against Israel, drawing a parallel with the sanctions against Russia following their invasion of Ukraine.

"I played for France and Manchester United. I know that international football is more than just sport, it is culture, it is political, it is soft power," he said.

"In a way that a country represents itself on a global stage, the time has come to suspend Israel from that privilege. Four days after Russia started a war in Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia. We are now 716 days into what Amnesty International have called a genocide - and yet Israel continue to be allowed to participate.

"Why, why is it double standards? FIFA and UEFA must suspend Israel. Clubs everywhere must refuse to play Israeli teams. Current players everywhere must refuse to play against Israeli teams.

"We all remember apartheid in South Africa. The Sporting boycott was critical in ending it. We have power. You have power. And football fans around the world have power. Those teams represent you. It's time for everyone to get off the sidelines. Who will follow me? You?"

Cantona's words came after a Spanish politician suggested that Spain could boycott the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico if Israel qualify. Israel are currently third in Group I, level on points with Italy, who occupy the play-off spot, although their rivals have played one game fewer.

Patxi Lopez, a spokesperson for the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, said: "We will assess the situation at the right time. What we want is for people to realize that if Israeli teams cannot take part in sporting events or Eurovision, some are starting to open their eyes. Because ours are wide open and do not tolerate what they see, which is why we cannot and will not remain silent."

The issue has crossed over into sport in Spain recently, with the final stage of the Vuelta a Espana cancelled due to protests against the Israel-Premier Tech team. The cycling Grand Tour was frequently interrupted by pro-Palestine protestors before it was cut short.

Eric Cantona demands UEFA and FIFA ban Israel as Spain threaten to boycott World Cup - The Mirror