Spanish Sports Minister Calls for Israel Team Ban from International Competitions

TDT | Madrid

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Spanish Sports Minister Pilar Alegria has called for Israeli sports teams to face bans similar to those imposed on Russian teams in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing what she described as a “double standard.”

Alegria made the remarks late Wednesday, in response to protests in Spain over the participation of the cycling team Israel-Premier Tech at the Vuelta a España grand tour. The Spanish government has condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocide,” fueling nationwide demonstrations.

Israel-Premier Tech, a privately-owned team by Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, is not a state-sponsored squad. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the team for continuing to compete in the Vuelta despite widespread opposition.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Alegria said, “It is difficult to explain and understand that there is a double standard. Given the massacre, the genocide, and such a terrible situation we are living through day by day, I would agree that international federations and committees should make the same decision as in 2022.”

She added, “No team or club from Russia participated in international competitions, and when Russian individuals competed, they did so under a neutral flag and without a national anthem.”

While Alegria expressed a desire for Vuelta organizers to prevent Israel-Premier Tech from competing, she acknowledged that any decision would ultimately rest with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling’s global governing body.