Irish footballers, celebrities urge boycott of Israel match
(Corrects bullet point with Ireland hosting October match)
Palestine Sport News
Celebrities and footballers call on FAI to refuse to play Israel
Paul Weller, Stephen Rea, members of Kneecap and current and former football players have signed an open letter to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) calling on them to boycott upcoming matches against Israel.
Palestinian football chief slams Israeli official at FIFA meeting
VANCOUVER: Palestinian football federation President Jibril Rajoub refused to take part in a photo opportunity with Israel soccer official Basim Sheikh Suliman in a tense incident at the end of FIFA’s Congress on Thursday. After both Rajoub and Suliman had addressed delegates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino invited both men to stand alongside him. However Rajoub declined the gesture, refusing repeated attempts by Infantino to encourage him to participate in the moment. At one point Rajoub could be heard to say: “We are suffering.” The Palestinian Football Association recently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over FIFA’s refusal to sanction Israel over football clubs based in the West Bank. The PFA maintains that clubs based in West Bank settlements should not be allowed to compete in leagues controlled by Israeli football authorities. In 2024, United Nations experts said at least eight football clubs had been identified as playing in “Israeli colonial settlements” and called on FIFA to “fulfil its responsibility to respect human rights.” Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rajoub called on FIFA to “apply the statutes with fairness, with logic.” “What’s going on in Palestine is terrible, destroying all the Palestinian sport facilities in Gaza, the killings of hundreds of Palestinian athletes, employees... I think it’s now the time to make justice,” Rajoub said. “The guy who spoke on behalf of Israel, he did not even pay attention to the suffering, to what’s going on. “I refused to shake hands.
Palestinian football body appeals to sports court over FIFA Israel ruling
VANCOUVER, April 28 : The Palestinian Football Association has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA's decision not to sanction Israel over clubs based in West Bank settlements, a senior PFA official said on Tuesday, as visa issues affecting several delegations added to tensions ahead of the FIFA Congress.
Team Saudi steps onto the Asian stage at opening ceremony for 6th Asian Beach Games
RIYADH: Team Saudi took part in the official opening ceremony for the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, on Wednesday evening.
Palestinian football officials worry Canada won't approve visas in time for FIFA meeting
Media reports published this week suggested that Palestinian soccer officials were barred from entering Canada ahead of the FIFA Congress slated to take place in Vancouver later this month.
Argentina to play Mauritania and Zambia in World Cup warm-ups
BUENOS AIRES, March 20 : Argentina will face Mauritania and Zambia this month in World Cup warm-up matches, the South American nation's football body (AFA) said on Friday.
FIFA clears Israeli settlement clubs but fines Israel FA over discrimination breaches
PARIS, March 19 : FIFA said it would take no action against Israeli football clubs accused by the Palestine Football Association (PFA) of competing while allegedly based in Palestinian territory, and on Thursday separately sanctioned the Israel Football Association (IFA) over breaches of its anti‑discrimination and fair‑play rules.