FIFA Council Meeting to Address Suspension
World soccer governing body FIFA is set to convene a special council meeting in the coming months to deliberate on whether the Israel Football Association (IFA) should face suspension from international competition. This decision follows a request made by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) to ban Israel over alleged violations of FIFA rules during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Independent Legal Expertise to Assess Situation
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the appointment of independent legal experts to analyze the requests made by the PFA and ensure that FIFA statutes are correctly applied. The results of this assessment will be shared with all FIFA Council members ahead of an extraordinary meeting scheduled before July 20 to address the PFA’s proposal for Israel’s suspension.
Emotional Pleas from Both Sides
The debate surrounding the potential suspension saw emotional pleas from both the PFA and the IFA. While PFA President Jibril Rajoub urged immediate action, IFA President Shino Moshe Zuares emphasized the role of football in healing divisions and rejected allegations of rule violations.
Appeal for Unity and Peace
In his closing remarks, President Infantino expressed shock over the events in Israel and Gaza, calling for unity and peace amidst the ongoing conflict. The decision on the IFA’s suspension will carry significant implications for international football and the region as a whole.