April 23 – Palestinian football chief Jibril Rajoub (pictured) insists he will not back down from demanding Israel be suspended from world football until and unless the Israelis are seen to have totally lifted their restrictions on free movement of players and officials between the West Bank and Gaza.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter will attempt more mediation talks next month to try to avert a vote to suspend Israel during the upcoming FIFA Congress.
Rajoub said he hoped Blatter would be able to persuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to lift all restrictions against Palestinian athletes but that he would accept nothing less in exchange for dropping his proposal.
“The Israeli government must recognise the presence of (the PFA) that operates according to FIFA laws… A committee must monitor whether Israel is abiding by FIFA laws,” Rajoub said.
He said he would await word from Blatter before deciding his next move.
“We will accept no compromise that will not secure the recognition of the PFA and it’s right to administer the game, develop it and spread it in accordance with FIFA laws.”
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