Norwegian Football Association donating Israel match profits to Doctors Without Borders

BRUSSELS

The Norwegian Football Association (NFF) announced Monday that it will donate the profits from Norway's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel to Doctors Without Borders.

The qualifier will be played in Oslo on Oct. 11 amid heightened security measures, including reduced spectator capacity, national broadcaster NRK reported.

Lise Klaveness, the group's head, said the decision was taken in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"The match is being played in a time and against a backdrop characterized by unimaginable humanitarian suffering. We cannot be indifferent to that," Klaveness said.

The NFF also unveiled a two-year cooperation agreement with Doctors Without Borders.

Norway’s away qualifier against Israel was held on neutral ground in Debrecen, Hungary, due to security concerns.

The Israeli army has carried out a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, killing nearly 65,000 Palestinians. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is also facing famine.