Israel football chiefs welcome FIFA decision not to act on suspension calls

The Israel Football Association has welcomed the FIFA committee decision not to act against it over teams based in the West Bank playing in its competitions.

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) raised a complaint ahead of the 2024 FIFA Congress about teams from Israeli settlements in the territory participating in IFA-authorised events, and called on FIFA to suspend the IFA.

The FIFA Council referred the matter to its Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee (GACC), which has recommended no action be taken, because “the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law”.

Shlomi Barzel, the head of communications for the IFA, said in a statement: “We are constantly working in various ways to repel time and time again desperate attempts to harm Israeli football for political reasons.

“This will not stop, but there are those who listened to us with a willing heart and understood very well that they should not fall into this trap.

“I am convinced that we will continue to face great challenges in the international arena, but also beautiful days on the pitch.”

In 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal under international law. Israel views the territory as disputed, rather than occupied.

The FIFA disciplinary committee did sanction the IFA in relation to another PFA complaint related to discrimination.

The IFA was fined 150,000 Swiss francs (£142,000) and warned regarding its conduct, and ordered to display a “Football Unites the World – No to Discrimination” alongside the IFA logo at the team’s next three top-tier home internationals.

Barzel added: “Even before the fine regarding racism was decided, the IFA and the clubs acted, are acting, and will act even more vigorously against the sickening scourge.

“Even if the fine was one dollar, the very use of racism is repulsive. It is never consolation that there is also ignorance in other places.”

The PFA has been contacted for comment regarding the decisions of the two FIFA committees.