By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – Amidst high drama and under pressure from football federations across the world, Palestine withdrew its proposal today to throw Israel out of FIFA – at the eleventh hour.
But not before its fiery leader issued a typically emotional and impassioned indictment of the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank regarding the free movement of Palestinian players and equipment. And not before the FIFA congress burst into chaos and confusion as to exactly what kind of compromise deal had been agreed.
In extraordinary scenes rarely witnessed in the conservative corridors of FIFA, a full soap opera was played out on the floor of the cavernous Congress auditorium before the respective federations of Palestine and Israel somehow clinched a deal to set up a more robust monitoring committee that saved face all round.
Right up until Congress, angry over the impasse concerning freedom of movement dispute, the Palestinians said they would not back down in demanding their proposal be put to the vote among the 209 national associations.
But PFA president Jibril Rajoub, in an emotional off-the-cuff speech, said he had decided to withdraw the proposal at the request of other federations and, in particular, the persuasive words of veteran South African anti-racism campaigner Tokyo Sexwale.
Rajoub, in an assertive address, declared: “I am here to find a solution to a painful issue rather than to score goals even against those who are responsible for my football family suffering.”
He recalled the mediation attempts by FIFA which had been tried and failed over the previous two years. Hence the proposal to vote of Israel’s suspension.
“This year I came with a proposal which I think is a right but a lot of colleagues whom I respect, and whose commitment to the ethics and values of the game I appreciate, explained to me how much its painful for them to hear the issue of suspension being raised within the family.”
Rajoub said FIFA vice-presidents Issa Hayatou and Michel Platini had been among those who sought to persuade him to withdraw but the key contribution came from Sexwale, inspired by the example of Nelson Mandela.
“I am here to play football, rather than to play politics. I want to end suffering,” said Rajoub. “I decided to drop the suspension but it does not mean that I give up the resistance. A lot of colleagues who I respect and I appreciate explained to me how it is painful for them to hear in this family about the issue of suspension.”
Israel cites security concerns for the restrictions it imposes and argues it has no control over security forces.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been trying to settle the matter for two years and upgraded his shuttle diplomacy in the days and weeks leading up to Congress by travelling to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas.
Israeli FA chairman Ofer Eini asked to speak immediately after Rajoub and said he backed the amended proposal, which according to Blatter, will ensure there will be “a mechanism of monitoring” the movement of Palestinian players and goods and try and find a solution regarding five Israeli clubs located in the West Bank, The fresh motion was approved by a vast majority (165 to 18).
“I don’t want to point any fingers at the Palestinian side. Let’s leave it to the politicians to do politics. Let’s join forces. I want us to work together, I want us to cooperate,” said Eini addressing Rajoub directly. “The differences – if we have any – we should be able to resolve by listening to each other.”
“I hope that our cooperation will be the beginning of a process that maybe will lead to peace between our peoples. I think all problems can be resolved. I believe and hope that with the help of the president of FIFA we can make football a bridge for peace.”
Eini called upon Rajoub to join him on stage for a handshake, a request initially declined with a defiant shake of the arm by the PFA leader. It eventually took place to widespread applause once the fresh proposal had been approved.
For two days, a noisy throng of pro-Palestinian flag-waving sympathizers have been camped outside the Congress auditorium calling for Israel to be thrown out. But the reality behind the scenes was that the Palestinian proposal, needing a three-quarters majority, would have been defeated anyway. Even though Rajoub had come to two previous congresses with the same complaint, the revised proposal at least left his pride intact.
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