Palestinian soccer chief: I'll appeal Messi incitement ban
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RAMALLAH, West Bank -- The head of Palestinian soccer said Saturday he will appeal FIFA's year-long ban on him for inciting fans against Argentine superstar Lionel Messi as part of his campaign to stop Argentina's national team from playing in Israel.
Jibril Rajoub told The Associated Press he was consulting with his lawyers and will "use every possible opportunity" to fight the decision. He spoke by phone from China and said he was planning a press conference upon his return to Ramallah later this week.
Rajoub's Palestine Football Association has lashed out at the decision by international soccer's ruling body as biased and "absurd."
FIFA said Jibril Rajoub "incited hatred and violence" by calling on soccer fans to target the Argentinian Football Association and burn jerseys and pictures of Lionel Messi.
Argentina eventually abandoned the trip to Jerusalem for a game against Israel in June. Argentina Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie said at the time players felt "totally attacked, violated" after images emerged of the team's white and sky-blue striped jerseys stained with red paint resembling blood.
