The decision had already been postponed twice. The International Football Federation (FIFA) will not decide again this time: the organization announced, on Thursday, October 3, that it will not immediately rule on the request for suspension of the Israeli federation (IFA) presented in May by its counterpart Palestinian Authority (PFA). ) during 74my Congress of the organization in Bangkok.
Two investigations will be launched to allow him to position himself, he stated in a statement: the first will refer to the accusation of ” discrimination “ carried by the PFA; the second will examine “the participation in Israeli competitions of Israeli teams supposedly based on Palestinian territory”.
“The current violence in the region confirms that, above all, (…) we need peacestates the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, quoted in the text. We are very shocked by the events. [au Proche-Orient]and our thoughts are with those who suffer. »
On May 17, PFA president Jibril Rajoub called on the international federation to stand firm. “on the right side of history”highlighting the violence of the Jewish State’s response in Gaza, following the attack perpetrated on its soil by Hamas commandos, on October 7, 2023. In a seven-page letter, sent in mid-March, the Palestinian Authority federation listed the direct consequences of the bombings in the enclave: “At least 92 footballers murdered”all sports infrastructures destroyed…
The text also mentions the absence of a serious fight against “discrimination and racism” anti-Palestinian protests in the Jewish State, in particular claimed by some followers of the Beitar Jerusalem Football Club, as well as publications by Israeli leaders on social networks supporting “The genocide in Gaza”.
Jibril Rajoub has also denounced on several occasions the integration into the national league of clubs from settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law and United Nations resolutions. Beyond the IFA suspension, the PFA asked FIFA to refer several of its members to its disciplinary committee.
Israel-France on October 10
The international federation refused to put the requested sanctions to a vote during its May congress, believing they should “to be administered” by your executive. Therefore, he chose to postpone his decision until the summer. Considering “the emergency” of the situation, “extraordinary advice” It had to be convened before July 20.
But the epilogue of this file was postponed for the second time, in October, “after both parties [eurent] “They asked for more time to present their respective positions.”. FIFA also argued that“an independent legal evaluation [avait] has been carried out » and that the report that emanated from him “ [allait] now be broadcast [à son] advice for consideration, so that this issue can be properly addressed at the next meeting.”.
According to Gianni Infantino, the body “has exercised all necessary diligence in this sensitive matter and, based on a thorough assessment, has followed the advice of independent experts” before further postponing his decision this Thursday.
With the IFA escaping any suspension for the moment, the Israeli men’s team will face, as scheduled, France on October 10, within the framework of the Nations League. Due to the war, the meeting was moved to Budapest.
