FIFA will decide by July 20 on the request to suspend the activities of the Israeli federation.

FIFA will make a decision “by July 20” on the request of the Palestinian Football Federation to suspend the activities of the Israeli federation due to the war in the Gaza Strip, the organization’s president Gianni Infantino promised this Friday.

The top leader of world football refused the vote of the 210 members of the federations at the organization’s 74th Congress, which ends this Friday in Bangkok, as proposed by the president of the Palestinian Federation.

According to the president, the PFA’s requests against its Israeli counterpart “fall within the competence of the FIFA Council” and “must be considered by that body”, but given the urgency of the situation, an “emergency council” will be convened by July 20. .

Gianni Infantino said FIFA will use “independent legal experts” to analyze the situation and arguments of the Palestinian Federation, which accuses the Israeli organization of a number of violations of FIFA statutes in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Minutes earlier, PFA president Jibril Rajoub called on FIFA to remain “on the right side of history” and vote to immediately suspend the Israeli federation, sending its members to a disciplinary committee.

In a seven-page document sent out in mid-March, the Palestinian Federation listed the direct impact of the bombings in the Gaza Strip, which “killed at least 92 football players” and “destroyed entire sports infrastructure.”

In response, the Israeli official said it was a “cynical attempt” to “damage football” in the country, based, in his words, on “reasons that have nothing to do with sports,” adding that it was a “political situation.” difficult” and that in the future, when things are calmer, I would like to reach out and consider friendlies.

“To lend a helping hand, there must be living and free people,” the Palestinian leader responded.

RPM // ADJO

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