Online Reporter
FACING growing global calls to suspend Israeli teams from football, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Thursday the governing body must promote peace and unity and could not solve political issues.
In a febrile period for football politics, Infantino led a meeting of FIFA’s ruling council, which did not have Israel formally on the agenda before 2026 World Cup qualifying games resume next week.
The strongest push against Israeli teams by European football leaders during the two-year conflict in Gaza was paused after a peace proposal on Monday in the White House by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Infantino stressed to his 37-member council “the importance of promoting peace and unity, particularly in the context of the ongoing situation in Gaza,” FIFA said in a news release that did not refer directly to Israel.
Infantino says FIFA“cannot solve geopolitical problems” as pressure mounts on the sport’s authorities to sanction Israel.
A United Nations commission of inquiry concluded last month that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel’s participation in football was not included as a formal item on the agenda of a FIFA council meeting held on Thursday.
However, Infantino touched on the subject in his opening remarks for the session at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich.
The 55-year-old Italian said: “Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.
“FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
Infantino later said he had met with Palestinian Football Association (PFA) president Jibril Rajoub on Thursday.
Israel’s national team are currently participating in European qualifiers for next summer’s men’s World Cup, while Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv are playing in the Europa League. – BBC Sport
