Mancini reacts to ‘shocking’ image from Gaza

Italy defender Gianluca Mancini has reacted to the issues of the Gaza conflict, describing it as shocking.

The Roma centre back admitted to being affected by the situation but said Italy players are not in a position to boycott the 2026 World Cup qualifier with Israel. 

“We do what we are told,” he said during the Wednesday press conference.

The Azzurri are at their training camp at Coverciano ahead of the first two matches under new coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Gattuso’s first assignment will begin on September 5 when the Azzurri face Estonia on Friday, September 5. They will then play Israel on Monday, September 8.

The situation in Israel has led their games to be staged at neutral ground. They will face Italy on neutral turf in Debrecen.

This situation made a statement to emerge from the Italian Coaches’ Association calling for the temporary suspension of Israel from UEFA and FIFA competition over the situation in Palestine.

As players inevitably faced questions on whether the game ought to go ahead, Mancini sees Italy in an awkward position.

Expressing sadness over the rift between Israel and Palestine, the defender put himself in the shoes of those fathers who hold their children in their arms.

Making a reference to what the coach had said, Mancini said players do what they are told.

The Azzurri will host Israel at the Stadio Friuli in Udine on October 14 in the return leg of the qualifiers.

When asked in an interview with Politico on why Israel continued to be included in their tournaments, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin also said the issue in Gaza hurts him personally. 

“It’s impossible to see these things anymore. On the other hand, I’m not a supporter of the disqualification of athletes,” said Ceferin.

Wondering what an athlete can do to pressure his government to stop the war, the UEFA boss said it is very difficult. 

Citing an example of the Russian national teams being disqualified for three and a half years, and their war against Ukraine has not ended, Ceferin said there was very strong political pressure.