VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) – Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub has refused to shake hands with Israeli soccer governing body Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman. fifa conference on Thursday.
After the two men addressed Congress, they were called to the stage. FIFA President Gianni Infantino. They stood far apart from each other, and Rajoub stepped away from the microphone and loudly protested before leaving the stage.
Speaking before the tournament, Rajoub called on FIFA to address claims by the Palestinian Football Association that Israel had breached anti-discrimination regulations by allowing clubs to be based in West Bank settlements.
He confirmed that the PFA is taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA decided not to suspend Israel over the West Bank club in March. FIFA cited the unresolved and complex legal status of the West Bank as the reason.
However, in a separate matter involving an Israeli club, FIFA fined the Israel Football Association $190,000 for disciplinary charges related to “discrimination and racist abuse” as well as “offensive conduct and violation of the principles of fair play.”
After they left the stage at the Vancouver Convention Center, Infantino thanked the delegates for their address and appealed to them.
“President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman, let’s work together. Let’s work together to give hope to our children. Let’s work together to do that,” Infantino said.
After the meeting, Rajoub passionately asked Israel: “Does it even have the right to be a member of FIFA?”
“For me, I still respect and comply with all legal procedures through the FIFA institutions, but I think the time has come to understand that Israel should be sanctioned for violations of the FIFA statutes and human rights,” he said.
Yariv Tepel, acting general secretary of the Israel Football Association, did not comment on the details of Rajoub’s comments, but said the IFA was ready to cooperate with the Palestinian side.
“We are part of the FIFA Congress,” Tepel said. “Our mission is to promote football and promote a better future for all regions, and this is our mission.”
Palestinian soccer officials have long argued that Israel violates the law by allowing teams from West Bank settlements to play in Israel’s domestic league, including at FIFA’s annual meetings for the past 15 years when Mr. Infantino was president.
A disciplinary investigation into Israeli football was also launched 18 months ago following a second objection by the Palestinian federation.
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