FIFA Delays Verdict on Palestinian Request to Suspend Israel, Launches Committee Investigations

FIFA has postponed its decision on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from international football, opting instead to launch committee investigations to assess the issue further.

The request, made by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), called for the suspension of Israeli teams from FIFA competitions, alleging discrimination and the presence of Israeli teams in Palestinian territories.

At the FIFA congress held in May in Bangkok, the PFA pushed for Israel’s exclusion, but a formal decision was delayed.

FIFA’s ruling council had initially planned to review an independent legal analysis by July 20 but extended the deadline to allow legal experts more time to complete their report.

During a meeting at FIFA’s Zurich headquarters today, the FIFA council adopted the recommendations of this legal analysis.

The council authorised two committees to investigate the matter. The FIFA disciplinary committee will examine claims of discrimination raised by the PFA, while the governance, audit, and compliance committee will investigate the participation of Israeli teams allegedly based in Palestinian territory. These committees will later advise the FIFA council on potential actions.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasised the sensitivity of the situation, calling for peace in the region.

“The FIFA Council has implemented due diligence on this very sensitive matter and, based on a thorough assessment, we have followed the advice of the independent experts,” Infantino said in a statement.

He added, “The ongoing violence in the region confirms that, above all considerations, we need peace. As we remain extremely shocked by what is happening, and our thoughts are with those who are suffering, we urge all parties to restore peace to the region with immediate effect.”

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