The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) continues to watch with horror the violence and humanitarian disaster that has engulfed the Middle East. We condemn violence, attacks on civilians, and the loss of human life in all its forms. We believe in the inherent value of every human life and continue to hope for peace, security and dignity for all people.

International sport operates in an increasingly complex political environment. WFDF supports the aspiration that sport can provide a space in which people come together peacefully across political, cultural and national differences. At the same time, complete political neutrality in sport is difficult to achieve in practice in a world where governments and political actors use sport to promote national identity and public policy, and where international sporting success itself is routinely framed in terms of national representation, flags and medal tables.

WFDF cannot resolve geopolitical conflicts, nor is it within the Federation’s mandate to adjudicate complex questions of international politics or public international law. Our responsibility is to govern flying disc in accordance with our statutes, policies and competition rules, while recognizing that sport cannot remain indifferent to the broader human context in which it operates. As an IOC-recognised International Federation within the Olympic Movement, WFDF therefore looks to the principles of the Olympic Charter and the guidance of the International Olympic Committee when determining its approach to participation and sanctions arising from international political conflicts. Within that framework, WFDF seeks to use sport to bring people together and to uphold dignity, equality, dialogue, mutual respect and peace.

A central principle of that approach is that, wherever possible, athletes and teams should be able to participate in international sport without being held personally responsible for the actions or policies of the governments of the countries from which they come.

With respect to recent calls for WFDF to sanction the Israeli club team participating at the 2026 World Ultimate Club Championships, our first responsibility is the safety and wellbeing of all athletes, officials, volunteers, spectators, and other participants. Any decisions taken by WFDF must preserve a safe environment in which the competition can proceed fairly and peacefully.

WFDF must also balance two important principles. The first is non-discrimination and the right of athletes to participate in sport. The second is respect for the right of athletes and other members of our community to express their views and advocate for social justice.

WFDF’s Social Expression Policy was established specifically to help maintain that balance. It provides a structured framework for appropriate social expression at WFDF events while requiring such expression to comply with WFDF’s Non-Discrimination Policy, applicable law and appropriate safety standards. Questions involving uniforms, symbols, messaging and other forms of expression at WUCC will continue to be addressed consistently under WFDF’s applicable rules and policies.

WFDF respects peaceful and lawful expression, including disagreement with decisions taken by the Federation. We also respect the deeply held views of members of our community on the human suffering occurring in the Middle East. At the same time, our responsibility as an international sports federation is to provide a safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory sporting environment in which athletes from different nations, backgrounds and perspectives can compete with one another in accordance with our rules and with the Spirit of the Game.