FIFA Soccer Federation Says Israel is Allowed to Play Ball

25
6141

(JTA) — The FIFA soccer federation said it would not impose sanctions on Israel and its teams from the West Bank, rejecting repeated requests to do so by the Palestinian Authority.

Israel’s six West Bank teams, which play in lower level leagues, are located in the settlements of Maale Adumim, Ariel, Kiryat Arba, Givat Zeev, Oranit and the Jordan Valley. The Palestinians have asked for their exclusion from international matches and the Israeli soccer association, which is a FIFA member.

The P.A. also sought punitive actions against Israel for its detainment of a soccer player suspected of terrorist activity and refusal to allow some Palestinian players to travel for matches.

“The FIFA Council has decided to refrain from imposing any sanctions or other measures on either the Israel Football Association or the Palestinian Football Association, as well as from requesting any other FIFA body to do so,” the organization wrote in a statement Friday, which referenced Israel’s threat to pursue countermeasures against the Palestinians.

“The matter is declared closed and will not be the subject of any further discussion until the legal and/or de facto framework has changed,” the statement also read.

The decision was based on a report submitted by the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine chaired by Tokyo Sexwale and “after a thorough legal consultation process,” the Switzerland-based world soccer body said.

The current situation is, “for reasons that have nothing to do with football, characterized by an exceptional complexity and sensitivity” and “can neither be ignored nor changed unilaterally by non-governmental organizations such as FIFA.” In line with the general principle established in FIFA Statutes, it “must remain neutral with regard to political matters,” the statement also read.

Notwithstanding, “the FIFA administration will continue to facilitate the movement of players, officials and football equipment in, out of, and within Palestine — the aspect on which the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine has covered the most ground and achieved a positive response,” the statement also read.

The Palestinians have also called for Israel to be removed from FIFA altogethe. They say having teams in the West Bank violates FIFA’s rules, which state that “Member associations and their clubs may not play on the territory of another member association without the latter’s approval.”

When Russia occupied Crimea in 2014, FIFA’s European affiliate, UEFA, blocked Russia from incorporating teams from Crimea in its national league on the basis of the same rule.

Subscribe for Simcha Updates!

* indicates required

25 COMMENTS

  2. Many of these shows are located in bigger cities like New York or Los Angeles, and that means
    you reach travel for free if you achieve to
    the finals. ” It was President Theodore Roosevelt who had given it the naming of White House in 1901. The first lesson you should learn along with your online course is how to read chord charts.

  3. Hello to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this webpage;
    this web site consists of remarkable and truly fine information in support of readers.

  8. You really make it seem so easy witһ your presentation but I find this matter t᧐ bе
    actually something tһat I think I would nevеr
    understand. It sеemѕ too complicated and very broad for me.

    I am looking forward for your next post, I will try too get the hang
    of it!

  10. I blog frequently and I truly appreciate
    your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest.
    I will book mark your website and keep checking for
    new information about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

  12. I got this web page from my friend who told me on the topic of
    this web page and at the moment this time I am browsing this site and reading very
    informative articles or reviews at this place.

  19. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I’m inspired!
    Extremely helpful info specifically the remaining section 🙂 I deal with such information a lot.
    I was looking for this certain info for a long time.
    Thanks and best of luck.

  21. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this
    excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and
    adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to new updates and will share this site with my
    Facebook group. Chat soon!

  22. I’m not certain where you are getting your info, however great topic.
    I must spend a while studying more or understanding more.

    Thank you for excellent information I used to be on the lookout for this
    info for my mission.

  25. This paragraph gives clear idea in favor of the new people of blogging,
    that actually how to do blogging and site-building.

Comments are closed.