Although the FIFA Congress, which opened on Friday, has been overshadowed by the arrest of several senior FIFA executives on corruption charges, a vote is still expected to take place on a Palestinian motion to suspend Israel from the world football governing organisation, effectively banning the country from the sport.
Earlier this month, FIFA President Sepp Blatter visited Israel and the Palestinian territories in an attempt to mediate a resolution.
The Palestinian Football Association (FA) claims that Israeli security restrictions limit the movement of Palestinian players. It also opposes the participation of five clubs in the Israeli league that are located in the West Bank.
However, Israeli restrictions have not prevented the Palestinian football league including teams from both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Israel’s football league includes numerous Arab players and officials at the highest level, while Israel’s national team is routinely represented by Arab and other minority players.
Israeli leaders and others have condemned the Palestinian initiative as an attempt to politicise football.
Nonetheless, it emerged yesterday that Israel has agreed a number of measures to address the Palestinian concerns, including the establishment of a monthly committee comprising Israeli, Palestinian and FIFA officials to solve travel issues, plus help to build new West Bank stadiums. However, the Palestinian FA is reported to have issued further demands, including a United Nations ruling on the five Israeli clubs based in the West Bank and a vote today appears inevitable.
Michel Platini, president of UEFA, the European football’s governing body, has said FIFA ‘won’t accept’ the Palestinian’s bid to suspend Israel.
It comes amid the backdrop of this week’s arrests and widespread calls for Blatter not to stand for reelection today. It is unclear whether political moves over these issues could impact the vote on Israel.
The Palestinian proposal would require a 75 per cent majority of the 209-member FIFA Council for approval. UEF has 54 members would.
Two female pro-Palestinian protesters briefly interrupted FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s opening address, waving red cards at FIFA representatives and chanting “Israel out!” before being escorted out of the hall by security guards. Earlier, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters had gathered in front of the congress hall entrance, shouting ''Boycott Israel.''