DEBRECEN, Hungary (AP) — The coach of Israel’s national soccer team says he is “standing behind my country” amid calls for the team to be suspended from international competition because of the war in Gaza, adding that “we are in a very complicated situation.”

Israel “hosts” Italy in neutral Hungary in a World Cup qualifier Monday and the Italian Soccer Coaches’ Association said last month that it had written a formal letter calling for Israel to be suspended.

“We have a super morale and amazing country,” Israel coach Ran Ben-Shimon said. “I trust my people. We are trusting our army and soldiers. And I’m standing behind my country.”

Ben-Shimon added that he wasn’t paying attention to the criticism “in front of me,” because “I’m looking who is standing behind me and this is our people. W

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