Palestinian Football Chief Refuses Photo Opportunity with Israeli Official at FIFA Congress
Jibril Rajoub declines gesture during tense incident at FIFA meeting in Vancouver.
At the end of FIFA's Congress on Thursday, a tense incident occurred when Palestinian football federation President Jibril Rajoub refused to participate in a photo opportunity alongside Israel soccer official Basim Sheikh Suliman.
After both men addressed the delegates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino invited them to stand beside him.
However, Rajoub declined this gesture and repeatedly resisted Infantino's attempts to encourage his participation in the moment.
During the incident, Rajoub could be heard stating: "We are suffering".
The Palestinian Football Association has recently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding FIFA's refusal to sanction Israel over football clubs based in the West Bank.
The PFA argues that clubs located in West Bank settlements should not be allowed to compete under the control of Israeli football authorities.
In 2024, United Nations experts identified at least eight football clubs playing in "Israeli colonial settlements" and urged FIFA to uphold its responsibility to respect human rights.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rajoub called for FIFA to apply its statutes with fairness and logic.
He highlighted the dire situation in Palestine, emphasizing the destruction of Palestinian sports facilities in Gaza and the killing of numerous athletes and employees.
Rajoub expressed his belief that it was now time for justice to be served.
He criticized the Israeli official for not acknowledging the suffering endured by Palestinians and refused to shake hands or share a photo with him, questioning how he could engage with someone under such circumstances.
After both men addressed the delegates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino invited them to stand beside him.
However, Rajoub declined this gesture and repeatedly resisted Infantino's attempts to encourage his participation in the moment.
During the incident, Rajoub could be heard stating: "We are suffering".
The Palestinian Football Association has recently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding FIFA's refusal to sanction Israel over football clubs based in the West Bank.
The PFA argues that clubs located in West Bank settlements should not be allowed to compete under the control of Israeli football authorities.
In 2024, United Nations experts identified at least eight football clubs playing in "Israeli colonial settlements" and urged FIFA to uphold its responsibility to respect human rights.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rajoub called for FIFA to apply its statutes with fairness and logic.
He highlighted the dire situation in Palestine, emphasizing the destruction of Palestinian sports facilities in Gaza and the killing of numerous athletes and employees.
Rajoub expressed his belief that it was now time for justice to be served.
He criticized the Israeli official for not acknowledging the suffering endured by Palestinians and refused to shake hands or share a photo with him, questioning how he could engage with someone under such circumstances.
