The Palestinian Football Association demanded the closure of the Israeli Football Association IFA and Israeli club teams already in April.
The international football association Fifa discussed the demand of the Palestinian Football Association PFA to exclude Israel from international football based on the occupation of Gaza, at its council meeting held in Zurich on Thursday. Fifa heard the report of an independent expert working group, and the federation’s board has authorized its disciplinary committee to launch an investigation into the matter, reports CNN.
– Fifa has followed due diligence and expert advice in this sensitive matter, the president of Fifa Gianni Infantino comment on the processing.
Fifa did not say when it would announce the results of the experts’ report or the schedule of the disciplinary committee’s proceedings, but the council presented a plea for peace on Thursday.
– We are very shocked by the events and our thoughts are with those affected by the situation. We call on all parties to restore peace to the region immediately, Fifa said.
The teams play on the same day
The PFA demanded the closure of the Israeli Football Association IFA and Israeli club teams already in April. Since then, the matter has been in Fifa’s hands, first at the association’s annual meeting, then after several postponements of the proceedings in the council and then in the disciplinary committee.
Among other things, FIFA is investigating the alleged activities of Israeli clubs in the Palestinian territories.
In addition to the occupation, the PFA has justified its demands by discrimination against Palestinian athletes. The PFA has accused five Israeli clubs of discrimination. The IFA denies the claims.
The Palestinian team will face Iraq in the World Cup qualifiers on October 10. Israel will play against France in the League of Nations on the same day.