“The FIFA Council has given due diligence to this very sensitive matter and, based on a comprehensive assessment, we have followed the advice of independent experts,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement after the decision to launch an investigation into the allegations contained in the Palestinian application.
Infantino continued: “The ongoing violence in the region confirms that we need peace above all considerations, as stated at the 74th FIFA Congress. While we remain deeply shocked by what is happening, and our thoughts are with those suffering, we urge all parties to restore peace in the region with immediate effect.”
The Palestinian Football Association called on FIFA to prevent the Israeli Federation and its national teams and clubs from participating in football matches, earlier this year.
The original request was submitted by the Palestinian Federation last April before being presented to the FIFA Congress in May, and the decision was expected to be issued in July.
The time frame for making the decision was postponed several times before Thursday’s announcement, and FIFA did not reveal the date of announcing the results of the investigation.
The Palestinian Football Association called for the Israeli Federation to be banned from participating in international football forums due to “violation of international law through the occupation of the Gaza Strip, racism and discrimination against Palestinian athletes in two Israeli clubs, and violation of FIFA regulations through the participation of 5 Israeli clubs from the illegal settlements established on Palestinian lands in League.”
These allegations were rejected by the Israeli Football Association.
FIFA commissioned an independent committee to collect evidence, which was presented Thursday to the 37 members of the FIFA Council.
The FIFA Council said it adopted two conclusions and two recommendations following today’s hearing.
A FIFA statement said: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be tasked with launching an investigation into the alleged crime of discrimination raised by the Palestinian Football Association.”
FIFA added in its statement: “The Governance, Audit and Discipline Committee will be assigned the task of investigating, and providing advice to the FIFA Council, the participation of Israeli clubs that are allegedly present on the Palestinian territories in Israeli football competitions.”
Next week, the Palestinian national team is scheduled to play a match against its Iraqi counterpart in the World Cup qualifiers on October 10, while Israel will play France in the European Nations League on the same day.
Source: “Agencies”
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2024-10-04 19:42:19