Voice of Jewish Sport

JUST AS it seems that Israel may have a chance of qualifying for a first major football tournament since 1970, the head of the Palestinian Football Association is now calling on world football’s governing body to ban them from international football. Not happy enough with Palestine being named team of the year at the Asian Football Confederation’s 60th awards, Jibril Rajoub, commenting after a reported ‘raid’ on the offices of the Palestinian federation last week, said: “I think it’s time to take sanctions. I don’t think the Israelis have the right to enjoy the status and at the same time deprive others… It is time now to take sanctions and to raise the red card.” FIFA president Sepp Blatter expressed his ‘sadness’ at last week’s event, it would be even sadder if Rajoub gets his way.

THE NEXT Israeli footballer to ply his trade in the Premier League could be Eran Zahavi. Israeli media claim Tottenham are looking at the Maccabi Tel Aviv star, who has scored in 14 consecutive league matches. Spurs would have to shell out around £2million for his services in next month’s transfer window, not bad for a guy who’s also been one of Israel’s star performers in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

TIME IS fast running out for you to get your vote in for the Maccabi GB Sports Awards 2014. Launched to recognise the achievements – and therefore find the best Jewish sportspeople of 2014, the various award categories incorporate open, juniors and masters age groups, in both individual and team awards. Voting is open to everyone, with the eventual winners decided by a panel of judges. Nominations can be cast at:
www.maccabigb.org/sportsawards