FIFA has postponed its decision on a proposal to suspend the Israeli soccer team from international soccer due to the ongoing war against Hamas. The proposal, put forth by the Palestine Football Association, has drawn concern and requires further legal assessment.
FIFA has announced its decision to postpone its ruling on a proposal to suspend the Israeli soccer team from international soccer due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The proposal, submitted by the Palestine Football Association (PFA), alleges that Israel's actions violate international laws and have resulted in significant damage to soccer infrastructure in Gaza.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino explained that the organization seeks an independent legal assessment to thoroughly analyze the PFA's requests and ensure adherence to FIFA's statutes and regulations.
"Due to the obvious sensitivity of these matters, FIFA will mandate as of now independent legal expertise to analyze and assess the three requests made by the Palestinian Football Association," Infantino stated. "This legal assessment will have to allow for inputs and claims of both member associations."
The results of the legal assessment will be presented to the FIFA Council for review before July 20, when an extraordinary Council meeting will convene to consider appropriate decisions.
The PFA has called for "appropriate sanctions with immediate effect, against Israel teams," claiming that Israel has violated international laws and caused substantial damage to soccer infrastructure in Gaza. PFA leader Jibril Rajoub asserted that "the Palestinian people, including the Palestinian football family, are enduring an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe."
Infantino emphasized that a Friday vote on the suspension proposal was not feasible due to the need for the FIFA Council's consideration.
"I do not want to divide our 211 member countries," he stated. "I have a responsibility as president to apply the statutes of FIFA and its regulations, whatever my personal conviction on these and other terrible matters around the world."
Infantino noted that the FIFA Council unanimously condemned the violence during its meeting on Wednesday.
"The FIFA Council also reiterated that football should not and should never become a hostage of politics and always remain ... a force of good uniting people rather than dividing," he emphasized.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
