Palestinians to continue bid to suspend Israel from FIFA

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said yesterday it would proceed with plans to ask the FIFA Congress to suspended Israel when it meets in Zurich next week despite last minute efforts by FIFA President Joseph Blatter to have the motion withdrawn.

Speaking at a press conference in Ramallah, PFA Chairman Jibril Rjoub said the Palestinian proposal will remain on the FIFA congress agenda until Israel agrees to fully abide by FIFA statutes.

The Palestinians are demanding that Israel stop mistreating and arresting Palestinian footballers, allow them and their foreign guests freedom of movement in the region and that they cease raids on football fields and PFA offices. In addition Palestine wishes to prevent five Israeli teams from settlements in the West Bank playing FIFA games.

"We are keeping our proposal on the FIFA agenda until our demands are met," Rjoub said. "We have eight days [before congress meets]. We are open for discussion and we want a solution. We want a solution to move forward and not only verbal promises," he said.

Speaking at the same news conference, Blatter, who earlier met in Ramallah with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, said he hopes the congress will discuss the Palestinian proposal, propose setting up a mechanism to monitor Israeli behavior, but not vote.

"There is a possibility there will be a discussion but not a vote," he said. "If there is a vote, it will a lose-lose situation for everyone."

Blatter met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday and said the Israeli premier agreed to improve movement conditions for Palestinian footballers through military checkpoints in the West Bank and allow them VIP status or give them special identity cards, as well as give the PFA tax exemption status on equipment donated to them by FIFA or any other body.

However, Blatter added there remains the issue of the five teams from the settlements, which he said is something he has to reach an agreement on with Netanyahu when he meets him again later Wednesday before he returns to Zurich.

The settlements are illegal under international law and therefore FIFA considers their presence and playing on "foreign land" a violation of the FIFA statute.

Blatter warned that banning Israel from FIFA will be a precedent that may lead other FIFA members to call for kicking out a neighbor they do not like, giving the example of Ukraine.