The PFA asked for its proposal, which it said six other
member nations had endorsed, to be on the agenda at FIFA’s upcoming congress in
May.
Israel’s football association on Wednesday responded to the
petition by saying it had “always followed FIFA regulations and always will.”
The PFA’s statement, released on Tuesday, said “the loss of
innocent lives, including no less than 99 footballers” and the “destruction of
residential units... are clear violations of international laws.”
“All the football infrastructure in Gaza has been either
destroyed, or seriously damaged,” the statement added.
The PFA pointed to several specific events, including a case
in which Israeli media footage showed scores of stripped Palestinians,
including children, detained in Gaza City’s Yarmouk stadium in December 2023.
FIFA has taken action against member nations over the
actions of their governments before, banning Russian teams from international
competition following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Europe’s governing body UEFA, of which Israel is a member,
banned Russian clubs from its tournaments.
The PFA also called on FIFA to address “the inclusion of
football teams located in the territory of another association, namely
Palestine, in its national association”.
At least five football clubs based in Israeli settlements in
the occupied West Bank are members of the Israeli Football Association.
The settlements are illegal under international law.
“Such inclusion implicitly recognises the Israeli claim to
sovereignty over the settlements, which goes against international and FIFA’s
obligations,” the PFA said.
FIFA did not respond to AFP requests for comment.
The PFA accused FIFA of inaction against discrimination and
racism in its jurisdiction, pointing to Beitar Jerusalem Football Club in
particular.
Ex-defence minister Benny Gantz once called for La Familia,
a fan club for Beitar, to be placed on a terror list over anti-Arab violence.
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