Palestinian soccer body urges FIFA to suspend Israel

STORY: :: The Palestinian soccer association calls on FIFA to suspend Israel from the sport over Gaza

:: Courtesy of FIFA

:: May 17, 2024

:: Jibril Rajoub, PFA President

:: Bangkok, Thailand

:: "I urge you to recall the images and sounds and consider the data depicting the immense devastation currently taking place in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, that has destroyed or severely damaged every football infrastructure, including two facilities in the West Bank."

:: "I ask you to stand on the right side of history and vote now. The suffering of millions, including thousands of footballers, deserves as much. If not now, then when? Mr. President, the ball is in your court."

:: Shino Moshe Zuares, IFA President

:: "Unfortunately, I am standing here today on behalf of the IFA, answering once again the hostile and blatant proposal brought by Mr. Rajoub - a proposal that is based on motives and ambition that have nothing to do with the spirit of sports or the FIFA value of separating sports from politics."

The Congress heard a proposal by the Palestine Football Association (PFA) to suspend Israel, accusing its federation of multiple violations of FIFA statutes, including over the Gaza conflict and the inclusion in Israeli leagues of teams located in Palestinian territory.

PFA president Jibril Rajoub urged the Congress to take a vote to suspend the Israel Football Association (IFA) from all football activity.

His Israeli counterpart Shino Moshe Zuares said no rules had been broken and the proposal had nothing to do with the sport.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said a legal assessment of the allegations made by the PFA would be undertaken urgently, with the FIFA Council convening an extraordinary Congress in late July to address the issue.