FIFA to investigate Israel over crimes against Palestinians

ZURICH: The global football governing body, International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), announced that it will mandate its Disciplinary Committee to investigate claims of discrimination raised by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) against the Israel Football Association (IFA).

This comes afther PFA submitted a proposal in May asking FIFA to suspend Israel from international football competitions for violating “international law” in occupying Palestinian land, especially Gaza.

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According to the statement released by FIFA, the investigation will focus on two key areas. The Disciplinary Committee will be tasked with initiating an inquiry into the reported discrimination, and FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee will be given the responsibility of investigating Israeli football teams’ participating in competitions based within the Palestinian territories.

The PFA welcomed the decision, viewing it as a “positive step in the right direction” towards addressing the “grave violations of FIFA’s statutory objectives, human rights, and the rights of its member associations.” The association expressed confidence in the “legitimacy of our demands and trust in the judicial process to deliver a just resolution within a designated time frame.”

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However, the IFA is yet to respond to the announcement. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in his statement, urged all parties to “restore peace to the region with immediate effect,” acknowledging the ongoing tensions in the area.