FIFA Seeking Legal Advice On Palestinian Push To Suspend Israel From Soccer Competitions

The Palestinian soccer association is hoping to influence FIFA to suspend Israel from international soccer competitions.

The new report from the Associated Press explains that FIFA is seeking legal advice from outside experts before convening a council meeting no later than July 20th. The Palestinian group, which appears to be upset that Israel responded to a terrorist attack from the Palestinian government, was allowed to present its case to the entire 211 member associations of FIFA. 

Israel was also given the opportunity to respond to the Palestinian proposal, and both sides will be considered after receiving the input of outside legal experts.

"FIFA will mandate as of now, independent legal expertise to analyze the three requests [from the Palestinian FA] and ensure the statutes of FIFA are applied in the right way," Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, explained.

"This legal assessment will have to allow for inputs and claims of both member associations. The results and the recommendations ... will be forwarded to the FIFA council."

After those recommendations are made, the organization will convene an "extraordinary" meeting to make their decision.

"Due to the urgency of the situation, an extraordinary FIFA Council will be convened and will take place before July 20 to review the results of the legal assessment and to take the decisions that are appropriate."

Israel's players sing the national anthem with their fans after the UEFA Euro 2024 group I qualification football match between Israel and Romania in Felcsut on November 18, 2023. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinian Football Association Apparently Not Concerned With Hamas' Actions

The proposal, according to the AP, asks FIFA to impose "appropriate sanctions, with immediate effect, against Israeli teams." Their justification for the request is as a result of what they claim are "international law violations committed by the Israeli occupation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza."

Hilariously, the Palestinian FA cited FIFA's statutory rules on human rights and discrimination. There was no explanation of how the Palestinian FA felt about the human rights violations of Hamas when they brutally murdered well over 1,200 Israeli citizens, torturing others, as well as committing sexual crimes against women. All for the crime of being Jewish and existing next to Hamas-controlled territory.

According to the head of the Palestinian FA, the soccer infrastructure in Gaza has either been "destroyed or seriously damaged." They also said their proposal has the support of Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Yemen. Wonder why?

Jibril Rajoub, the leader of the Palestinian FA, told the FIFA congress that "the Palestinian people, including the Palestinian football family, are enduring an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe." 

Rajoub though, praised Hamas' terrorist attacks on October 7th, saying they were "in the context of the defensive war our people are waging," according to a Kuwaiti newspaper. He also said Hamas is part of the "political and social fabric and of our struggle," while saying it was "important" that they are involved.

It's stunning to learn that the head of the Palestinian FA is a terrorist-supporting hypocrite, only concerned with "humanitarian catastrophes" when they don't involve Hamas butchering Israeli civilians.

It's a black mark on FIFA's record that they are taking the proposal of terrorist sympathizers seriously. But since when has FIFA's reputation ever been very good?