Football: Israel Football Association (IFA) Discrimination Claim
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has filed two complaints to FIFA, the World Governing Body of Association Football, against the IFA, alleging breaches of FIFA rules, and has called for sanctions against the national teams and clubs of Israel, including suspension from international football.
The first complaint is one of discrimination within the national league.
The second one alleges the participation in Israeli competitions of Israeli football teams based in the Palestinian territory.
The first complaint is being investigated by the FIFA disciplinary committee; and the second one by the FIFA governance, audit and compliance committee.
The President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, stated:
“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.”
The President of IFA, Shino Moshe Zuares, stated:
“We are facing a cynical and political hostile attempt by the Palestinian association to harm Israeli football.”
The complaints are made against the background of the ongoing military campaign by Israel in Gaza in response to the unprecedented attack on southern Israel by Hamas gunmen on 7 October 2023, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 hostages were taken.
Once again, a case of politics intruding into sport!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
