Arabic version: الاتحاد الفلسطيني لكرة القدم يطالب بحظر الاتحاد الإسرائيلي لكرة القدم

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has called for an international ban on the Israeli Football Association (IFA) following a FIFA report that identified multiple breaches of anti-discrimination obligations. PFA chief Jibril Rajoub, who also heads the Palestinian Olympic Committee, made the announcement during a news conference in the occupied West Bank city of el-Bireh. According to Al Jazeera, Rajoub stated, “We maintain our right and continue our efforts to ensure that the Israeli Football Association is expelled from all international institutions.”

FIFA recently fined the IFA 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,700) for these breaches, a decision Rajoub described as significant but insufficient. He criticized the IFA for its racist nature, alleged criminal activities by some Israeli sports officials, and the membership of football clubs from Israeli West Bank settlements within the federation.

Rajoub highlighted the failure of the IFA to take meaningful action against Beitar Jerusalem, a club noted for its persistent racist behavior. He referred to Beitar as an extreme example of the racism and discrimination prevalent in Israeli football. Additionally, he pointed to the impact of the ongoing conflict, stating that 1,007 athletes and coaches have been killed in Gaza, and 265 sports facilities have been damaged since the war began in October 2023.

The IFA’s membership includes at least five football clubs based in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Despite the evidence presented, FIFA has announced no action against the IFA regarding allegations involving these clubs. The UN has consistently condemned the Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law.