PLO TO PUSH AHEAD WITH BID TO SUSPEND ISRAEL FROM FIFA

Ramallah, 2 Shaban 1436/20 May 2015 (MINA) – The Palestinian Football Association will not drop its bid to have its Israeli counterpart suspended from FIFA, the organisation’s chief said Wednesday after talks with the head of the world footballing body.

“We will keep the proposal on the agenda (of the upcoming FIFA Congress) for sincere and open discussions by the 208 FIFA member associations,” Jibril Rajoub said at a joint press conference with FIFA chief Sepp Blatter, Ma’an News Agency quoted  by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“There will be no compromising on free movement of our athletes and officials.”

Rajoub alsowelcomed the idea of an Israel-Palestine “match for peace” but said conditions were not yet ready for such a game.

“Yesterday, you raised a very great idea … It’s a creative idea, I like it,” he told FIFA president Sepp Blatter at the press conference.

“But we have to pave the road for that, we have to prepare the environment. But this should be an endgame, this should be a purpose for you and I urge you not to give up,” he said. (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)