FIFA President Gianni Infantino ruled Friday that the Palestinian Football Association’s (PFA) demand to expel Israel from the international association wouldn’t be put to vote during the FIFA Congress set in Thailand. Instead, the motion will be delivered under the authority of a committee of experts which will send its recommendations on the matter to FIFA by July 20.
"Like everyone else, I was shocked by what happened in Israel on October 7," Infantino said. "I also see what is happening in Gaza. I pray for the mothers who have lost their children and for everyone who is suffering. I pray for one thing - peace. We have to try and use the power of football to bring people together, to bring communities together, to concentrate and focus on what we share, rather than what divides us.”
He added, "It’s important to note that the three PFA requests will be discussed by the council. Due to the clear sensitivity of these issues, an expert committee will review these requests to ensure that FIFA's principles are upheld. The committee’s recommendations will be presented to the council, but due to the urgency of the situation, the council will discuss these recommendations by July 20."
Chairman of the Israel Football Association Moshe Zuarets spoke before Infantino's remarks, saying, "We’re facing cynical attempts by the PFA to harm Israeli soccer. After many months during which soccer matches have not been held in Israel because of the war, and while Israeli citizens are still being held captive in Gaza, it’s unfair for us to even be discussing this. We lost coaches and players in the horrific attack on October 7, and I find myself fighting for our right to continue being part of the game. There’s no greater shame than that."
Zuaretz continued, "Israelis were slaughtered, and our lives turned into hell, we found ourselves fighting against terrorists who killed over 1,000 people. The Palestinian proposal is meaningless. I don’t wish any country to go through what we’ve gone through. What we need to do is fight again and again."
Before him, PFA Chairman Jibril Rajoub spoke, saying, "I stand before you once again to protest against Israel's illegal actions and violations, including the Israel Football Association, which allows the existence of soccer clubs from settlements located in occupied Palestinian territories. The Israeli foreign minister personally threatened to arrest me, but nothing will stop me from promoting what I believe in."