Protests Erupt in Italy During Israel World Cup Qualifier

Thousands of demonstrators in Udine, Italy, protested against the Israeli national team during a World Cup European qualifier match between Italy and Israel. While the Bluenergy Stadium remained largely empty, crowds gathered outside chanting pro-Palestinian slogans and carrying flags and banners reading “Expel Israel from FIFA” and “No to genocide.” Tensions escalated when protesters attempted to breach police barricades near the stadium, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannons to disperse them. The Israeli national anthem was whistled inside the stadium amid tight security.