FIFA's Hegemony in Double-Standard Sanctions for Israel and Russia Making in Sanctioning

Abstract

In response to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the International Fédération of Association Football (FIFA) imposed significant sanctions on the Russian Football Union. However, the organisation did not do the same with Israel's genocide in Palestine. This article analyses FIFA's decision through the lens of hegemony in international relations (IR), focusing on how FIFA is leaning towards a Western-centric/Euro-centric point of view and world order, rather than becoming a neutral international sports body. This paper is a qualitative research study that utilises the Cox concept of contemporary world order, focusing on material, ideational, and institutional tools to gain hegemony. As FIFA is used by Western powers to demonstrate their hegemonic influence on the world order, we argue that it is the reason behind their double-standard policy.