A big lift came for Israeli leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his country as global football governing body FIFA refused to bar Israel from international competitions, including next year’s World Cup in North America.
This came on the heels of intense pressure by many Arab nations, some African countries and others seeking soccer isolation for the Middle East nation over what they described as the atrocities committed by Israeli troops in Gaza.
The FIFA Council decided on Thursday, however, to chose unity over division, avoiding any radical measures against Israel.
Mundo Deportivo (MD) reported that no action was taken against Israel during Thursday’s meeting in Zurich, which was attended by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, president of the European Club Association (ECA) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
In his opening address, FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivered a message of peace, though the issue was not included as a specific agenda item: “At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world. Our thoughts are with those suffering from the many conflicts around the globe, and the most important message football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
Infantino also confirmed he has been in contact with the Presidents of the regional confederations regarding the matter.
However, as previously reported by MD, there was no discussion of a potential exclusion of Israel from international competitions, particularly in light of the peace plan recently proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football worldwide by leveraging its unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian values,” Infantino emphasized.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Infantino.
