July 24 – Israel defender Roy Revivo will have his appeal against a two-game ban heard just hours before his team’s opening game against Mali at the Paris Olympics.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said its panel of three judges will give an urgent verdict today in Revivo’s appeal against FIFA.
Israel plays Mali tonight at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris with pro-Palestine campaigners promising a peaceful protest against the Israeli “genocide” in Gaza. The Palestine FA and the Palestine Olympic Committee have written to the IOC demanding that Israel are withdrawn from the tournament as they are in breach of the Olympic Truce.
For Revivo there would perhaps be more compassion for his appeal if the UN General Assembly Resolution on the Paris Olympics that mandates an Olympic Truce from July 19 to September 15, 2024, to ensure a peaceful environment for the Games, had been adopted.
It hasn’t been, at least by Israel or indeed Hamas. For Revivo the decision by CAS will send a message and will likely inflame already entrenched beliefs if CAS overturns his FIFA ban.
Revivo was sent off when Israel played a European Championship qualifying playoffs game against Iceland in March.
The Maccabi Tel Aviv defender was suspended for two games by UEFA, but Israel has not played a competitive game since.
CAS said FIFA, which organises Olympic football, on Monday ordered the 21-year-old to serve his ban at the Paris Games, meaning he would miss the first two group-stage games.
CAS said the player and the Israeli soccer federation “request that the FIFA decision be set aside and that Roy Revivo be permitted to participate in the Olympic Games.”
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