PALESTINIAN FOOTBALL BODY WILL CONTINUE WITH LAWSUIT AGAINST ISRAEL

Al-Quds, 5 Rajab 1436/24 April 2015 (MINA) – Head of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) General Jibril Rajoub said yesterday that there is no room to withdraw a bid filed to FIFA against Israel, Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds reported.

Rajoub previously filed a complaint to FIFA against Israel demanding its FIFA membership be cancelled because it breached the organisation’s charter.

In a press conference, Rajoub said that the complaints included calls for FIFA to stop Israeli practices against Palestinian sportspersons, including the daily aggression on sportsmen who face Israeli restrictions on their movement and are subjected to racism, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

He also said that there are five Israeli clubs in the Israeli football body are in settlements. This contradicts the FIFA charter, according to Rajoub, who said that the FIFA charter stipulates that Israel has to recognise the Palestinian Athletic Federation.

The complaint, Rajoub said, was filed three years ago and it has nothing to do with politics.

Meanwhile, he confirmed that the Head of the International Football Federation Joseph Blatter is visiting Palestine on 6 May. Blatter is to take part in inauguration ceremonies for several athletic facilities and will meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. (T/P002/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)