The war in Gaza came to the forefront at the world’s biggest football meeting on Friday. The Palestinian association called for Israel’s immediate suspension from FIFA.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced in Bangkok that the governing body will seek independent legal advice to evaluate the Palestinian demand.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) and its supporters had hoped for an immediate vote on a potential ban. The Asian Football Confederation, to which the PFA belongs, supports this ban.
Infantino stated: “FIFA will now mandate independent legal expertise to assess the three requests made by the Palestinian Football Association and ensure FIFA’s status and regulations are correctly applied.”
“Due to the urgency, an extraordinary FIFA council will convene before July 20 to review the assessment results and make appropriate decisions.”
PFA head Jibril Rajoub demanded Israel’s “immediate” suspension on stage in Bangkok. He claimed the Israeli FA (IFA) had violated FIFA rules, asserting: “FIFA cannot remain indifferent to these violations or the ongoing genocide in Palestine.”
Rajoub’s call followed the PFA’s March announcement to bring the issue to Congress. The PFA expressed dissatisfaction with incidents such as the December 2023 footage showing detained Palestinians, including children, in Gaza City’s Yarmouk stadium.
In March, the PFA also urged FIFA to address “the inclusion of football teams in Palestine’s territory in another national association.”
At least five football clubs in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are members of the Israeli Football Association. These settlements are illegal under international law.
A Jordanian representative supported the Palestinian demand and called for an immediate congress vote, which Infantino rejected, insisting FIFA’s council handle the matter.
When the Israeli federation chief spoke, Iranian and Iraqi delegates walked out. IFA chief Shino Moshe Zuares called the Palestinian ban request “cynical,” stating, “IFA never violated FIFA or UEFA rules and will not do so in the future.”
Israel is part of UEFA, Europe’s football governing body. The war in Gaza erupted after the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, resulting in over 1,170 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.
Israel’s military retaliation has killed at least 35,233 people, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
FIFA has previously taken action against member nations for government actions, banning Russian teams from international competition after its 2022 Ukraine invasion.
