NYON, Switzerland (AP) — A pro-Palestinian people’s activist group has occupied the lobby of UEFA’s headquarters to protest Israel’s hosting of the European Under-21 Championship in June.
About 40 protesters carrying banners and placards, some critical of UEFA President Michel Platini, chanted slogans and engaged UEFA staff in debate.
FIFA executive committee member Michel D’Hooghe, who attended Friday’s UEFA ruling board meeting, defended the tournament to a spokesman for the protesters.
Last year, Platini resisted calls from Palestine Football Association President Jibril Rajoub to strip Israel of hosting rights.
The eight-team tournament is scheduled to be played from June 5-18 in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Netanya and Petach Tikva.
