FIFA launch investigation into Israel FA following suspension demands over Gaza war
FIFA are looking into allegations the Israel FA have violated their regulations during the country's offensive in Gaza, with the Palestine FA demanding a suspension
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorFIFA have launched an investigation into the Israel Football Association (IFA) after the Palestine FA demanded they be suspended.
The PFA have accused the IFA of violating FIFA regulations and of being complicit in 'unprecedented international human rights and humanitarian law violations' during the war in Gaza. The IFA deny all allegations, which were first tabled at May's FIFA congress.
PFA president Jibril Rajoub has also alleged having six Israeli teams based in the Palestinian West Bank territory was a clear breach of FIFA’s code of ethics. Rajoub added that more than 250 Palestinian athletes, the majority of whom were football players, have been killed in Gaza and several stadiums have been destroyed.
The PFA’s stance has gained the full support of the Asian Football Confederation. Having originally postponed a decision on the allegations, FIFA have now confirmed they will open an investigation into the IFA.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be mandated to initiate an investigation into the alleged offence of discrimination raised by the PFA," a statement from FIFA read.
“The FIFA Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee will be entrusted with the mission to investigate – and subsequently advise the FIFA Council on – the participation in Israeli competitions of Israeli football teams allegedly based in the territory of Palestine.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated his calls for peace in the region, with Israel's offensive into Gaza and Lebanon continuing. Infantino insisted the investigation comes after a 'thorough assessment'.
“The FIFA Council has implemented due diligence on this very sensitive matter and, based on a thorough assessment, we have followed the advice of the independent experts," he said.
“The ongoing violence in the region confirms that, above all considerations, and as stated at the 74th FIFA Congress, we need peace. As we remain extremely shocked by what is happening, and our thoughts are with those who are suffering, we urge all parties to restore peace to the region with immediate effect.”
The PFA's accusations have been made through Article 4 of the FIFA statutes, which prohibit “discrimination of any kind against a country or group of people” and says any breach of this obligation is punishable by “suspension or expulsion”.
PFA chief Rajoub referenced previous FIFA decisions to suspend teams, including Russia, Apartheid-era South Africa and the former Yugoslavia, as precedents for action. In response, IFA president Shino Moshe Zuares dismissed Rajoub’s demand as a “cynical political and hostile attempt to harm Israeli football”.
Israel's offensive in Gaza began after the Hamas attacks of 7 October, when more than 1,000 Israeli's were killed. In the ensuing conflict, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Infantino and FIFA have offered no timeline on how long the investigation may take. Israel are scheduled to face France and Italy during the upcoming international break in UEFA's Nations League, while qualification for the 2026 World Cup gets underway in March.
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