GENEVA (AP) — FIFA fined the Israel Football Federation for violating anti-discrimination rules, but took no action Thursday. Palestinian side requests Israel to cease activities By allowing clubs to be based in settlements in the West Bank, it attracted attention from world football.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also further undermined Iran’s attempt to move World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, saying the world’s soccer governing body hoped the tournament would “go ahead as scheduled.”
Thursday’s announcement featured two separate petitions against the Palestinian Football Federation.
FIFA has fined the Israeli Football Association 150,000 Swiss francs (approximately $190,000) for disciplinary charges related to “discrimination and racist abuse” as well as “aggressive conduct and violation of the principles of fair play.”
The Israeli federation was blamed by three FIFA judges for “tolerating politicized and militaristic messages in the context of football”, particularly by Beitar Jerusalem fans, and for the “systematic exclusion of Palestinians from football infrastructure in Israeli settlements”.
Disciplinary verdict against Israeli soccer, The judgment was handed down in August last year.The final announcement was made after a meeting of FIFA’s Governing Council, which Infantino chairs, but he reiterated the organization’s peaceful aims amid a month of confusion over World Cup planning. war in the middle east.
Palestinian soccer denied over settler club issue
The Palestinian Football Federation has called on FIFA to take action against Israel for supporting clubs in its domestic league from settlement communities in the West Bank.
FIFA’s executive board decided on Thursday not to respond to formal Palestinian complaints against the Israeli side, including a request for suspension of membership, in 2024, following a recommendation from the governing board’s governing board.
Palestinian soccer officials have long argued that it is against the law for Israel to allow teams from West Bank settlements to play in its domestic league, including at FIFA’s annual general meetings for the past 15 years when Infantino was president.
“FIFA should not take any action, given that the final legal status of the West Bank remains an open and highly complex issue in public international law in the context of the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the FIFA Statutes,” the soccer body said.
FIFA asks US to let Iran participate in World Cup
Infantino reiterated that FIFA is not moving towards approval. Request from Iranian side Three group games for the World Cup in June will be moved from the United States to Mexico.
Iranian government and soccer officials said they had no intention of boycotting the match. world cup However, military attacks by Israel and the United States since February 28 have made it impossible for the national team to visit the United States.
The team is scheduled to play two games at Los Angeles Rams Stadium in Inglewood and one game in Seattle.
“The schedule is set,” Infantino said in a statement Thursday, referring to the World Cup dates announced in December, adding: “We hope that the FIFA World Cup will be held as planned.”
No team has refused to participate in the World Cup since 1950, when the 13-team tournament was held in Brazil amid the lingering global turmoil following World War II. It would be unprecedented in modern World Cup history for a team’s schedule to be changed after the draw for political reasons.
FIFA’s political limits
“FIFA cannot resolve geopolitical conflicts,” said Infantino, who submitted his resignation to close ally US President Donald Trump. special peace prize At the World Cup draw in December.
“We are committed to using the power of football and the FIFA World Cup to build bridges and promote peace, in our thoughts towards those suffering as a result of the ongoing war,” he said.
A disciplinary investigation into Israeli football was also launched 18 months ago in response to a second objection by the Palestinian federation.
The judgment was a fine against IFA, which was 50,000 Swiss francs ($63,000) less than the monetary penalty. imposed on the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation Fan misconduct during a World Cup qualifying match in November.
FIFA judge criticizes Israel Football Federation
A FIFA disciplinary judge upheld charges of systemic discrimination against Israeli football and also cited offensive comments made on social media by senior officials.
“The IFA’s failure to take meaningful action against Beitar Jerusalem FC, a club whose supporters have engaged in persistent and well-documented racist behavior, constitutes a clear breach,” FIFA’s disciplinary committee said in a statement.
FIFA ruled that a third of the fine must be spent by Israeli authorities on “implementing a comprehensive plan to ensure action against discrimination and prevent recurrence of incidents.”
“This plan shall be approved by FIFA and shall focus on season-long reforms, protocols, monitoring and educational campaigns in stadiums and on official channels,” the FIFA judges decided.
“We cannot remain indifferent to the broader human context in which football operates,” the judges said, adding that the sport “must remain a platform for peace, dialogue and mutual respect.”
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