2024-10-04 08:19:27
FIFA refused on Thursday to decide on the request for suspension of the Israeli football federation from its Palestinian counterpart, almost a year to the day after the Hamas attack and the start of the war in Gaza. On the other hand, the world football body specifies in a press release that it is launching two investigations which should allow it to decide.
One will concern the accusation of “discrimination” brought by the Palestinian federation; the second on “the participation in Israeli competitions of Israeli football teams allegedly based in Palestinian territory”, specifies the press release. These are clubs that play in the West Bank in illegal Israeli settlements.
Infatino doesn’t get wet
During the 74th FIFA Congress in September, its president, Gianni Infantino, refused to put to a vote the sanctions demanded by the Palestinian federation (PFA) against its Israeli counterpart (IFA). He considered that possible sanctions should “be managed” by the executive of the organization.
Meeting on Thursday, the FIFA Council finally adopted the conclusions of an independent legal evaluation report, which had been requested by the Palestinians. “The violence currently plaguing the region confirms that, above all, and as stated during the 74th FIFA Congress, we need peace,” added Gianni Infantino.
“While we remain extremely shocked by what is happening and our thoughts are with those who are suffering, we urge all parties to restore peace to the region with immediate effect,” he continued.
The Palestinian federation satisfied with the opening of an investigation
At the Bangkok congress in May, PFA President Jibril Rajoub urged FIFA to “stand on the right side of history” by voting to immediately suspend the IFA and refer several of its members to court. the disciplinary commission.
In response, the president of the IFA, Shino Moshe Zuares, denounced a “cynical attempt” to “harm Israeli football”, based according to him “on reasons that have nothing to do with sport”.
Reacting to Thursday’s announcement of the postponement of FIFA’s decision, the president of the Palestinian federation told AFP: “What is important for us is that the investigation was unanimously approved by all FIFA council. We will continue to follow up on this just matter and we will hold on to our rights.”
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