Palestinian And Israeli Soccer Officials Have Heated Moment At FIFA Congress
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman, vice president of the Israeli football governing body, during a tense moment. FIFA Congress on Thursday.
After the two men spoke at the convention, they were called to the stage. FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
They stood far away from each other, and Rajoub protested loudly away from the microphones before leaving the stage.
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Speaking before the congress, Rajoub called on FIFA to address allegations by the Palestinian Football Federation that Israel is violating anti-discrimination regulations by allowing clubs in West Bank settlements.
He confirmed that the PFA had taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport following FIFA’s decision in March not to suspend Israel over his West Bank clubs. FIFA noted the unresolved and complex legal status of the West Bank.
But in a separate case involving an Israeli club, FIFA fined the Israeli Football Federation $190,000 for disciplinary charges related to “discrimination and racist abuse” as well as “offensive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play”.
After the two men left the stage at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Infantino thanked them for addressing delegates and made an appeal.
“President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman, let’s work together. Let’s work together to give hope to children. Let’s work together for this,” Infantino said.
After the congress, Rajoub asked whether Israel had the “right to be part of FIFA”.
“For my part, I still respect and follow all legal procedures through the FIFA institutions, but I think it is time for FIFA to understand that Israel must be sanctioned for violating its statutes and human rights,” he said.
Israel Football Federation acting general secretary Yariv Teper declined to comment on the specifics of Rajoub’s comments but said the IFA would be willing to work with Palestinian counterparts.
Teper said, “We are at the FIFA Congress.” “Our mission is to promote football and a better future for all regions, and that is our mission.”
Palestinian football officials have long argued that Israel violated the statute by allowing teams from West Bank settlements to play in the Israeli national league, including at FIFA annual congresses in the last 15 years before Infantino became president.
The disciplinary investigation against Israeli football was opened 18 months ago in response to the second objection of the Palestinian federation.
