FIGC Reluctant To Apologize For Allegations Of Italian Players Insulting Israel

The FIGC has denied apologizing to Israel for accusations by Italian players of mocking them (doc. FIGC).

JAKARTA - Italy won 5-4 against Israel in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the European Zone. However, Gli Azzurri's victory was accompanied by drama.

Italy narrowly won in the match at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, Monday, September 8, 2025. In that match, Moise Kean scored two goals, while Matteo Politano, Giacomo Raspadori, and Sandro Tonali each scored one goal.

Meanwhile Manuel Locatelli and Alessandro Bastoni gave points to opponents with each scoring one own goal. Meanwhile, Dor Peretz netted two goals.

Reporting from Football Italia, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the match was marked by dramas because Italian players were accused of mocking and verbally attacking Israeli players.

"The fight happened, they were very, very emotional. They didn't seem to be in the game. We deserved to win and they tried to provoke. It was part of football, we went through it."

"They vilified us throughout the game," the Israeli players said.

Football Italia, which quoted the news from Sport5, said an Italian delegation apologized, but there has been no official comment from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on this matter.

Meanwhile, La Gazzetta reported that the FIGC denied and rejected an apology as the Israeli media claimed.

The Italian match in Hungary took place at the same time as the international crisis that occurred in Palestine. Israel constantly invaded Palestine which gave birth to many casualties.

This has garnered the world's attention, including Italian supporters who participated in the protests by turning around when the national anthem of the Israeli state was sung.