FIFA Postpones Decision on Suspending Israel from Global Football
In a recent development, FIFA has decided to postpone a crucial decision on whether or not to suspend Israel from global football until July. The call for suspension was made by Jibril Rajoub, the President of the Palestinian Football Association, during FIFA’s annual congress in Bangkok. Rajoub passionately argued that FIFA should take a stand against Israel’s military operations in Gaza and “stand on the right side of history.”
Rajoub also raised concerns about the presence of six teams from Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory in the Israeli football leagues, which he believes is a clear violation of FIFA regulations. He emphasized that over 250 Palestinian athletes, most of whom were football players, have lost their lives in Gaza, and numerous football stadiums have been destroyed.
However, the Israeli Football Association president, Shino Moshe Zuares, strongly opposed Rajoub’s demand, dismissing it as a “cynical political and hostile attempt to harm Israeli football.” Zuares highlighted the impact of hostilities on Israeli football and mentioned that 130 Israelis are still being held hostage.
In response to the impassioned speeches from both sides, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that external legal opinion would be sought before making a decision. Infantino underlined that FIFA should not become entangled in politics and should remain a force for peace and unity.
The seriousness of the situation prompted Infantino to schedule an “extraordinary” meeting before July 20th, as the matter could not wait until the next scheduled FIFA Council session in October. This meeting will take place between the Euros, Copa America, and the Paris Olympics, where Israel is competing in the men’s football competition.
Infantino made it clear that a decision to suspend a member association can only be taken by the FIFA Council, which consists of senior officials from around the world. The legal assessment will consider the input and claims of both the Israeli and Palestinian federations, and its recommendations will be presented to the council members ahead of their meeting.
It is worth noting that Israel left the Asian Football Confederation in 1974 and joined UEFA in 1992. The issue of Israel’s status in the game was previously raised at UEFA’s congress, but the governing body quickly dismissed any intention to ban the federation.
The decision to postpone a verdict on Israel’s potential suspension reflects FIFA’s recognition of the complexities involved in the Israel-Gaza conflict. As a football organization, FIFA aims to prioritize unity and peace, rather than allowing itself to be caught up in political disputes. By seeking external legal opinion and carefully considering the claims of both parties, FIFA hopes to reach a fair and informed decision that upholds its values as a global governing body for football.