FIFA will be seeking independent legal advice before convening an extraordinary council meeting by July 20 to address a proposal from the Palestinian Football Association to suspend Israel from international football due to the conflict with Hamas. This decision was outlined by FIFA president at the recent FIFA congress, following presentations from representatives of both the Palestinian and Israel football federations in front of the 211 member associations.
The plan involves appointing independent legal experts to analyze the requests from the Palestinian FA and ensure that FIFA statutes are applied correctly. The legal assessment will consider inputs from both member associations, with the results and recommendations to be presented to the FIFA council.
Given the urgency of the situation, the extraordinary FIFA Council meeting will be held before July 20 to review the legal assessment findings and make appropriate decisions. The Palestinian Football Association's proposal to impose sanctions on Israeli teams highlighted alleged international law violations by the Israeli occupation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and referenced FIFA's commitments to human rights and anti-discrimination.
The motion pointed out the destruction or serious damage to football infrastructure in Gaza, including the historic Al-Yarmuk stadium, and had support from several federations including Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Yemen. Palestinian Football Association leader expressed concerns over the humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian people, including the football community, and mentioned facing threats due to the sanctions proposal.
Despite threats, the Palestinian FA remains steadfast in its stance, emphasizing the importance of truth in the matter. The situation remains complex, and FIFA's decision following the legal assessment will be crucial in addressing the issues raised by the Palestinian Football Association.
