Manan Vatsiyana/AFP/Getty Images
Gianni Infantino spoke at the FIFA conference in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday.
CNN
—
World football governing body FIFA will hold a special board meeting within the next two months to decide on the suspension of the Israel Football Association (IFA) from international competitions, president Gianni Infantino said on Friday in Bangkok, Thailand. said at a meeting held.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) called for a vote on a ban on Israel ahead of Infantino's announcement, citing accusations that IFA had violated FIFA rules during the ongoing war in Gaza. Ta.
“Due to the obvious sensitivity of these issues, FIFA is currently analyzing and evaluating three requests from the Palestinian Football Association to ensure that FIFA's laws and regulations are applied in the correct manner and provide an independent “It would require a legal expert to do so,'' Infantino said.
“Of course, to ensure a fair and due process, this legal assessment must take into account the views and arguments of both member organizations.”
Infantino said the results and recommendations will be communicated to all FIFA Executive Board members before attending an extraordinary meeting scheduled to be held by July 20, at which Israel's suspension from international matches will be announced. The PFA proposal is scheduled to be taken up.
Prior to Infantino's announcement, PFA president Djibril Rajoub called on FIFA to take immediate action.
“As I speak to you today, the Palestinian people, including the Palestinian football family, are enduring an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. We are witnesses. [to] The genocide unfolding in Gaza was broadcast live,” Rajoub said.
“Stand on the right side of history and vote now. The suffering of millions of people, including thousands of football players, is equally deserving. If not now, then when? President, Ball is on your coat.”
Manan Vatsiyana/AFP/Getty Images
Israel Football Association President Sino Moshe Zuarez speaks at the FIFA Congress.
Rajoub went on to call on FIFA to “temporarily suspend IFA as a member of FIFA with immediate effect.”
Samar Nassar, general secretary of the Jordanian Football Association, supported Rajoub, saying: “We are not here to discuss human tragedy. We are here to vote, the world is changing today. We are witnessing what FIFA does.”
“FIFA has always been on the right side of history when we banned Yugoslavia, when we banned Russia and for over 20 years when we banned South Africa. And I think we have a role to play today. ” Nassar added.
Responding to calls for a ban on IFA, association president Sino Moshe Zuarez said: “Today, perhaps more than ever, we believe that football must be an important element in healing broken bones and wounds and helping us and all peoples recover. But once again, we “We are facing a cynical, political and hostile attempt by the Palestinian Association to damage football.”
“Make no mistake about it, IFA has never violated the rules set by FIFA and UEFA, and we have no intention of doing so in the future,” he added.
“Seven months after that terrible day, there are no soccer matches in large parts of Israel, both north and south, and more than 130 Israelis remain detained in Gaza. It's not fair that these people are fighting for basic livelihoods.'' They have the right to participate in the game. ”
In his closing remarks to the debate, Mr. Infantino said: “Like everyone, I was deeply shocked by what happened in Israel on October 7th. And like everyone else, I was deeply shocked by what was happening in Gaza. I am very shocked.”
“I pray for all those who are suffering unimaginable suffering…and like all of you, the only thing I want is peace.”
