2026 WORLD CUP: IRAN ASKS FIFA TO MOVE GAMES FROM US TO MEXICO

Iran are scheduled to play their 2026 World Cup group games in LA and Seattle

Iran has asked Fifa to move its 2026 World Cup games from the US to Mexico as the wrangling over the war-torn country’s participation continues.

The Iranian embassy in Mexico posted a statement on social media saying that talks were ongoing over the possible solution after President Trump suggested that it may not be safe for Iran to travel to the US for this summer’s tournament.

Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj was quoted as saying: “When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America. 

“We are currently negotiating with Fifa to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”

Iran are currently scheduled to play their first two group games against New Zealand and Belgium in LA, with their third against Egypt in Seattle.

Three Mexican cities – Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey – are set to stage fixtures at the World Cup, which is also being co-hosted

But matches have already been allocated to those cities and the teams involved, who include Japan, South Korea, Tunisia and Japan, have already made their tournament plans accordingly.

Iran put World Cup ball back in Fifa’s court

Moving games would therefore represent a major logistical headache for Fifa and could anger local authorities in LA and Seattle who have already budgeted for their schedule.

On top of that, the bulk of knockout stage games will be in the US, meaning it would be impossible to avoid Iran playing in the States if they progressed.

The suggestion does, however, put the ball back in Fifa’s court with less than 100 days to go until the biggest ever World Cup kicks off on 11 June. 

Iran has refused to formally withdraw despite officials saying they would be unable to travel to the US amid the ongoing military operations led by the Trump administration and Israel.

After Fifa chief Gianni Infantino relayed apparent assurances from Trump that Iran would be welcome at the World Cup, the US President undid that work by saying: “The Iranian national team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don’t think their presence is appropriate, for their own lives and safety.”

The Iranian men’s national team hit back in a post on social media, saying: “No one can exclude the Iranian national team from the World Cup; the only country that could be excluded is the one that merely holds the title of ‘host country’ without being able to ensure the safety of the teams participating in this global event.”

- Frank Dalleres

'IRAN WELCOME AT WORLD CUP BUT..': TRUMP ISSUES LIFE-AND-SAFETY WARNING AFTER TEHRAN'S BOYCOTT DECLARATION

In a post on Truth Social, the US President said, "The Iranian National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."

US President Donald Trump (Photo/Reuters)

US President Donald Trump welcomed the Iranian national football team to participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup but also warned them to ‘not be there for their own life and safety’.

In a post on Truth Social, the US President said, “The Iranian National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Trump’s comments came just a day after the Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said that the country cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the United States killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reported Al Jazeera, citing Reuters.

“Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Ahmad Donyamali told state television, according to the report.

The current round of conflict between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other started on February 28. The West Asia conflict has caused disruption in global energy supply chains.

United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 104 matches, beginning at Mexico City Stadium on June 11 and culminating at New York New Jersey Stadium with the final on 19 July.

All of Iran’s group-stage fixtures are in American cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.

Donyamali’s statement comes after FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in his Instagram post on Wednesday, said that Iran’s participation in the World Cup would be welcomed by US President Donald Trump.

“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Gianni Infantino said in the social media post.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), had also said earlier that Iran cannot be expected to look forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with optimism after the recent attacks, questioning why any country would send its national team to such a situation.

“After this attack [on Iran], we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?” Taj said on Iranian state television. 

-Ani

FIA PRESIDENT ISSUES STATEMENT AS GROWING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT THREATENS OPENING RACES

 

The President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has issued a statement amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the sport's governing body continuing to "monitor developments carefully and responsibly."

US and Israeli bombing of Iran at the weekend has been followed with a series of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, primarily targeting US military bases across the region.

Speculation has since increased that the opening races of the F1 2026 season will be affected, particularly in Bahrain and Jeddah with F1 races scheduled in April, due to air traffic freezes in the Middle East that have impacted important travel hubs in the region.

'Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions,' says FIA President

In a statement on social media, FIA President Ben Sulayem said the governing body are "deeply saddened" by the ongoing events in Middle East, and that the "dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities."

Ben Sulayem said: "As President of the FIA, my thoughts are with all those affected by the recent events in the Middle East. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and stand with the families and communities impacted.

"At this moment of uncertainty, we hope for calm, safety, and a swift return to stability. Dialogue and the protection of civilians must remain priorities."

The FIA President also emphasised that "safety and wellbeing" are to guide the governing body's decision making with regard to forthcoming scheduled events in the Middle East.

"We are in close contact with our Member Clubs, championship promoters, teams, and colleagues on the ground as we monitor developments carefully and responsibly.

"Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there for the FIA World Endurance Championship and the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Our organisation is built on unity and shared purpose.

"That unity matters now more than ever."

Melbourne F1 boss provides update on Australian Grand Prix amid Middle East unrest

Despite the Middle East travel freeze reportedly affecting up to 1000 F1 personnel, Australian Grand Prix CEO Travis Auld has issued an update on the season-opener, with the Melbourne boss "confident" the race will not be impacted.

- byHenry Eccles

F1 MAKE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX DECISION AS TEAMS CAUGHT UP IN MIDDLE EAST CHAOS

Formula One officials are monitoring the situation after several teams were left in travel chaos ahead of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix next weekend following airstrikes by the US, Israel and Iran

Melbourne hosts the first F1 race of the 2026 season(Image: Clive Rose, Getty Images)

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix is set to proceed next weekend despite reported travel worries for several teams. This follows the closure of Doha and Dubai - the primary stopover hubs for Qatar and Emirates airlines - on Saturday due to ongoing conflict in the region.

The Middle Eastern countries made this decision after Iran launched retaliatory strikes in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE in response to the United States and Israel initiating joint airstrikes on the country. The Daily Mail reports that airport closures have resulted in travel turmoil for several Formula One teams ahead of the Aussie GP on Sunday, March 8.

The report suggests that approximately 2,000 team and organisational staff have had to abruptly change their travel plans. It's understood that those heading Down Under are being rerouted onto flights via Hong Kong and Singapore, whilst some are flying directly into Perth with Qantas, before a three-hour and 35-minute domestic connection to Melbourne.

Eventual world champion Lando Norris won last year's race in Melbourne(Image: SAEED KHAN, AFP via Getty Images)

However, it's believed that the 2026 season-opening F1 race in Australia will still take place. Officials are keeping an eye on the situation and are liaising with the relevant authorities.

Some teams have already made their way to Australia ahead of practice on Friday, before qualifying takes place a day later at Albert Park. F1 are said to be relaxed and are not expecting any significant issues ahead of the season opener.

Apart from the cancelled events in 2020 and 2021, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Melbourne has featured on the F1 calendar every year since 1996. Significant regulation changes promise an unpredictable start to the new season.

Pre-season testing indicates no team will dominate, though Mercedes and Ferrari are considered as frontrunners to triumph in Australia next weekend.

And there has already been substantial controversy surrounding Mercedes' engine, with competitors claiming they have found a method around engine compression ratio restrictions.

The FIA confirmed earlier this month that it would not prohibit Mercedes' engine and have now revealed a new mid-season rule amendment: a test in June to tackle the alleged 'loophole'.

- Isaac Seelochan and Cameron Winstanley

TEL AVIV FOOTBALL DERBY VIOLENCE SHOWS UK BAN ON MACCABI FANS IS CORRECT, SAYS UK MP

The derby between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv was cancelled before kick-off on Sunday, after what police described as 'public

Supporters of Israeli club are barred from Birmingham tie next month over hooliganism fears

The ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attending a Europa League match in England has been proven correct after football hooligans forced the abandonment of the Israeli team’s city derby, a British MP has said.

Maccabi’s match against Hapoel Tel Aviv was called off by police on Sunday night, just before kick off, as fans threw smoke grenades and pyrotechnic devices. The incident injured three officers and 12 civilians.

It has reignited debate over a decision to ban Maccabi supporters, who were implicated in violence in Amsterdam last year, at the match with Aston Villa in Birmingham next month.

Independent Muslim MP Ayoub Khan, whose constituency is in Birmingham and who led a petition calling for the Israeli side's fans to be barred from the match, said the ban was about safety concerns, not Israeli politics or religion. He said “hooligans, people who show no mercy”, followed the club.

“Shame on all those disgraceful politicians and news anchors that conflated this matter,” he said on X. “It was never about religion but everything to do about hooligans. These hooligans are not welcome in my constituency.”

The latest violence took place at Bloomfield Stadium, which is shared by the Tel Aviv rivals. The stadium was evacuated, with police on horseback intervening to control the 30,000 fans.

Nine Maccabi supporters were arrested and Israeli police called for the game to be postponed owing to “risks to human life”, with officers hurt in “serious violence”.

“Disorderly conduct, riots, injured police officers and damage to infrastructure – this is not a football game, this is a breach of order and serious violence,” Tel Aviv police said in a statement on X.

Police on horseback intervened after crowd trouble before the match.

As a result of the violence, British police are now “reaching out” to their Israeli counterparts “to gain an understanding on what happened at last night's match in Tel Aviv,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s deputy spokesman told journalists on Monday.

“We recognise the concerns raised by police due to previous incidents in Europe,” he added.

The violence is poorly timed for Maccabi fans, who hope that the ban will on them travelling to the Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham on November 6 will be lifted.

The decision caused a political storm on Friday, with Mr Starmer intervening to say the move was “wrong”.

He suggested it was anti-Semitic, a claim echoed by other senior figures, even though the ban followed the standard decision-making procedure for all large-scale events.

Birmingham’s safety advisory group, which includes police and local organisations, stated that its decision was due to the high risk of violence and based on “current intelligence and previous incidents”.

UK Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson said on Monday that it was “unacceptable” for away fans to be barred from the Birmingham fixture “for the reasons that have been cited”.

“We think it is very difficult to justify and very difficult to accept and that football fans shouldn’t be unable to attend games for fear of what that might cause more widely,” she told Sky News.

Asked what ministers could do to overturn the ban, she said: “The government will do what we can to ensure that the relevant authorities have got the resources they need … we will provide what is necessary alongside the other relevant authorities in order to ensure that fans can attend.

“I think it’s unacceptable to have ended up in a position where away fans are unable to attend for the reasons that have been cited and therefore we have a role to play, but other relevant authorities in the West Midlands will also be taking this into account.”

Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv will face each other in Birmingham in the Europa League next month. AFP

Hapoel fury

Hapoel's management was infuriated by the decision to abandon the derby and the tactics used by police. “From the preliminary discussions before the game, it seemed that the police were preparing for a war rather than a sports event,” the club said in a statement on social media. “Everyone saw the harsh videos, children trampled by horses, police officers beating fans indiscriminately.”

It accused police of taking over the sport and called for football authorities to regain control.

Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid also seized on the incident to criticise the country's far-right Minister of National Security. “To the endless list of failures of the incompetent minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, tonight was added the inability to facilitate a football game in the state of Israel,” Mr Lapid said on social media.

Amsterdam attacks

The Stand up to Racism Birmingham group said next month’s ban was “the correct decision” because the Maccabi fans were “likely to create a dangerous environment in the city”.

“When Maccabi played in Amsterdam and other places thousands of their fans rampaged through the city chanting ‘death to Arabs’,” a representative for the group said.

“They also chanted, ‘Why is school out in Gaza? There are no children left.' They attacked people and caused extensive damage.”

The representative added that Maccabi fans caused trouble at previous matches in Greece and Cyprus and called them a “fanatical racist group intent on spreading hatred and division”.

But the British government, whose relations with Israel have plummeted in recent months over the situation in Gaza, appears intent on having the Aston Villa match ban overturned.

A decision on the Maccabi fans being allowed in will be made in the coming days by West Midlands police. But Downing Street made clear that it wanted them in and was working with the force “to ensure this game can safely go ahead with all fans present”.

“We're exploring what additional resources and support are required so all fans can attend,” Mr Starmer's spokesman added.

- Thomas Harding

SPAINS VUELTA FINAL STAGE ABANDONED DUE TO PALESTINIAN SOLIDARITY PROTESTS

 

KASSIM OUMA | FROM THE HORRORS OF WAR TO THE HEIGHTS OF WORLD BOXING

Kidnapped at just six years old, Kassim Ouma was forced into Uganda’s brutal civil war as a child soldier, handed an AK-47 instead of a schoolbook, and ordered to kill,  even his own friends, to stay alive. 

Years later, that same system ironically offered him a way out, through boxing.When the rebel force he fought for became the official Ugandan army, Ouma was placed onto their military boxing team. Gloves replaced guns, and every punch became a lifeline. 

As he once reflected, “If I didn’t fight with guns, I would have been killed. That is why boxing comes naturally to me.”

His talent flourished, he compiled an amateur record of 62 wins and just 3 losses, made the national team, and was selected for the 1996 Olympic squad, though financial hurdles kept him from competing.

In 1998, while in the United States for a military boxing championship, Ouma made a life-altering decision: he would not return to Uganda. He claimed political asylum and began the long road from survivor to world champion.In 2004, that journey reached its peak when he became IBF light-middleweight champion of the world.

He went on to share the ring with elite fighters like Jermain Taylor and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, never backing down from any challenge.

Keep moving forward, no matter how dark the past.

#BoxingBasement #Boxing #ouma #kassimouma #uganda 

- Boxing Basement 

MOHAMMED SALAH CALLS OUT UEFA OVER TRIBUTE TO PALESTINIAN FOOTBALLER: "CAN YOU TELL HOW HE DIED?"

Mohammed Salah questioned UEFA's tribute to a Palestinian footballer who allegedly died in Gaza, awaiting aid.

AFP

As the Israel-Gaza conflict continues, UEFA's tribute to Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid triggered a storm on social media. "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele', a post from UEFA read on X, but a big debate was triggered as Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah asked the European football governing body to highlight the reason behind Suleiman's death. It was then that the post went viral on social media, drawing reactions from pundits and fans from all across the globe.

Paying tribute to Suleiman, UEFA called the former national team member "a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times."

Salah responded: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"

UEFA, however, didn't respond to the Liverpool superstar's question.

A fan ended up asking Grok, X's AI assistant, about the reason behind Suleiman's death. The response was heartbreaking.

Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'. 

"Suleiman al-Obeid, 41, died on Aug 6, 2025, in southern Gaza while awaiting aid. Palestinian Football Association reports he was killed by Israeli forces targeting civilians. No specific IDF comment; Israel generally denies such actions, citing militant threats or warning shots. Sources: France24, Times of Israel," Grok said.

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) later posted a statement on its Facebook page attributed to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, calling Al-Obeid "proof of the joy that can flourish in the hearts of people despite hardship.

"He gave his talent and dedication to the children of Gaza and gave their dreams a hope to blossom despite the suffering," the statement read.

"His death is a great loss to the world of football and to everyone who recognises the power of sport to unite people."

"He gave his talent and dedication to the children of Gaza and gave their dreams a hope to blossom despite the suffering," the statement read.

"His death is a great loss to the world of football and to everyone who recognises the power of sport to unite people."

It isn't the first time Salah has raised his voice for Palestinians. The Liverpool star previously advocated for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and called for "world leaders to come together to prevent further slaughter of innocent souls".

- NDTV Sports Desk

NORWAY REFUSES TO PLAY WITH ISRAEL | WANTS EXPULSION

 

RISING LEBANESE SOCCER PLAYER IN COMA AFTER ISRAELI STRIKES

Celine Haidar, a ray of light on and off the pitch, always ready to give her best. ©Photo courtesy of Celine Haidar's Instagram page

Leading Lebanese footballer Celine Haidar is in a medically induced coma after she was critically wounded in an Israeli strike near her home in Beirut's southern suburbs, putting her international championship prospects on hold.

Captain of her club team and already included in the national youth team twice, the 19-year-old didn't allow her training to be interrupted by Israel's bombardment, as her family fled to a mountain town east of Beirut.

She assured her family she would leave every time the Israeli army issued an evacuation warning for a neighbourhood it was intending to bomb.

But on Saturday, she was asleep when the Israeli military spokesman posted an evacuation warning for her neighbourhood. Her parents called and urged her to leave immediately, but time was short.

An Israeli warplane struck as she leapt onto her motorbike. She was hit by shrapnel, which left her with severe brain injuries, including multiple skull fractures and brain bleeding.

The Israeli military was not immediately available to comment on the strike.

She is now in an intensive care unit at Saint George Hospital in Beirut, according to her coach, Samer Barbary.

Her parents, Abbas Haidar and Sanaa Shahrour, stand watch over her.

"I never thought I would have a daughter like her," her father said. "She has dreams and strength. She always told me: 'You'll see what I will accomplish tomorrow.'"

She is among over 15,000 people wounded by Israeli strikes over the past year, with bombardment of Beirut's suburbs escalating dramatically over the past two months.

The Israeli military says it is striking infrastructure belonging to armed group Hezbollah, which counted the suburbs, as well as south and east Lebanon, as its strongholds.

More than 670 women and 230 children are among the more than 3,500 people killed, Lebanon's health ministry says.

Haidar's teammates have hung a poster at their training field saying: "We are waiting for you."

"She is the cornerstone of our team," her teammate Lama Abdin, 18, said. "But we will play for her. We will achieve her big dreams."

Barbary said Haidar had already represented Lebanon twice with the under-19 national team, which won the 2022 West Asia cup that was held in Lebanon. She was already selected for the senior national team and was expected to be selected for the upcoming West Asia championship, he said.

Even though doctors say they do not know when she will wake up again, her mother, Sanaa, has refused to give up hope.

"I am waiting for you. Don't give up. You are a hero. Every night, I see you in my dreams, coming back to me," she told Reuters.

- Reuters 

AMSTERDAM CLASH: ISRAELI PLANE LANDED AMID HEZBOLLAH ATTACK ON CENTRAL ISRAEL

PSG'S ULTRAS UNVEIL HUGE 'FREE PALESTINE' BANNER'

PSG's ultras unveil a huge banner ahead of the Champions League game against Atlético.

TOKYO CHAMP WONGPATTANAKIT DEFENDS TAEKWONDO TITLE.IN PARIS

Thailand’s Panipak Wongpattanakit celebrates on the podium with her medal after winning the gold medal of taekwondo women’s -49kg event of the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Grand Palais in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP

PARIS -- Panipak Wongpattanakit retired on a perfect note as she became the first Thai athlete in any sport to become a two-time Olympic champion on Wednesday.

Wongpattanakit defended her Tokyo Games title to secure Thailand's first gold medal of the Paris Olympics and Park Tae-joon restored South Korea's pride on the opening day of the taekwondo competition.

Wongpattanakit, who confirmed she will end her career, celebrated the gold by grabbing a Thai flag after jumping into her coach's arms.

"I have so much pain," she said on the eve of her 27th birthday. "I had a broken knee. And my ankle, my hip... Now, I have to retire."

Wongpattanakit, who comfortably won her three opening bouts to reach the final of the 49-kilogram category, trailed in the first round against Guo Qing of China but rallied with two consecutive kicks to the body and head.

Guo fought back to force a decider, but Wongpattanakit prevailed after video reviews showed that she had successfully landed two spectacular head kicks.

Under the new rules introduced in Paris, bouts are decided on a best-of-three format rather than cumulative points.

Taekwondo is South Korea's national martial art, and the country suffered a humiliation in Tokyo, where it failed to win a single gold medal for the first time since the sport became a medal event in 2000.

Park set the record straight by routing his opponent in a brutal final for the gold medal.

"It was my childhood dream," Park said.

In the men's 58 kilos class, Park demolished Gashim Magomedov of Azerbaijan, who soldiered on but retired injured.

After contact with his opponent's leg in the opening round, Magomedov crashed to the canvas, clutching his left leg in pain. He was attended to by doctors and managed to resume the fight.

Trailing 7-0 with 14 seconds left, he limped and sat again to receive further treatment, losing the round without scoring a point. Magomedov was helped off the canvas but returned for the second round and continued without threatening his opponent, who capped off his masterpiece with a superb turning kick to the head.

Magomedov's ordeal continued a bit longer as Park landed a final kick to his back that ejected him from the combat arena. It was the coup de grace, and Magomedov called it quits.

"In Tokyo, South Korea did not get a gold medal, it was a bit frustrating and sad. Today I'm honored and proud. The whole team has worked hard to make sure we were prepared here," Park said.

Mobina Nematzadeh of Iran and Lena Stojkovic of Croatia won bronze medals in the women's tournament. The men's bronze medals went to Cyrian Ravet of France and Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi of Tunisia.

Taekwondo tournaments at the Olympics award two bronze medals, with the losing semifinalists facing two contestants who lost to the finalists in the elimination phase.

Ravet shines for France

Ravet came close to a massive upset in his quarterfinal against Park. Spurred on by the loud support of a partisan crowd holding massive cutouts of their favorite Olympian, he had a two-point lead in the deciding round with 33 seconds left. But the Frenchman could not hold on to his advantage as the South Korean delivered two straight body kicks to turn things around.

With Park reaching the final, Ravet was allowed to play in the repechage and made the most of it as he qualified for a bronze-medal match. He was then awarded a bronze without combatting due to Vito Dell'Aquila's withdrawal.

Dell'Aquila, the Tokyo champion, fought with an injury in Paris and was defeated 2-0 in the semifinals by Magomedov.

"My abductor was really in flames," he said. "I couldn't fight but for the Olympics I tried anyway. This was my dream."

Palestine's hopes vanish early

Omar Ismail wanted to inspire the Palestinian youth with a medal in taekwondo amid the Israel-Hamas war, which has claimed more than 39,000 Palestinian lives, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

But the teenager's campaign in Paris was brutally ended in the last 16 stage.

No Palestinian athlete has ever won an Olympic medal.

Ismail was the only Palestinian athlete to qualify for the Paris Games in his own right. The seven others gained their spots under a wild-card system delivered as part of the universality quota places.

Ismail was born in Dubai to parents who come from the West Bank town of Jenin.

- Associated Press 

FIFA TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE ON PALESTINIAN PROPOSAL TO SUSPEND ISRAEL FROM INTERNATIONAL SOCCER

 BANGKOK (AP) — Facing a Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer because of the conflict with Hamas, FIFA bought time Friday by agreeing to seek legal advice before holding an extraordinary council meeting within two months.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino outlined the plan to 211 member federations after leaders of the Palestinian and Israel soccer bodies spoke at the governing body's annual congress in Bangkok.

“Now, due to the obvious sensitivity of these matters, FIFA will mandate as of now independent legal expertise to analyze and assess the three requests made by the Palestinian Football Association and ensure that the statutes and regulations of FIFA are applied in the correct way in order to ensure a fair and due process,” Infantino said.

"This legal assessment will have to allow for inputs and claims of both member associations. The results and the recommendations ... will be forwarded to the FIFA council.

“Due to the urgency of the situation, an extraordinary FIFA Council will be convened and will take place before July 20 to review the results of the legal assessment and to take the decisions that are appropriate.”

The Palestinian soccer federation has now spoken at a FIFA Congress at least five times since 2014 without making the progress it wants.

Palestinian soccer's issues with Israel in that decade have included travel restrictions on its players, the Israeli league including teams from West Bank settlements, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In the past 10 years, FIFA under two different presidents has deferred a vote or decision, or created a working group to report back at a later meeting.

The Palestine Football Association proposal to 211 member federations called for “appropriate sanctions, with immediate effect, against Israeli teams" and was forecast in FIFA documents released last month.

The motion noted “international law violations committed by the Israeli occupation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza” and cited FIFA statutory commitments on human rights and against discrimination.

The Palestinian FA wrote that “all the football infrastructure in Gaza has been either destroyed, or seriously damaged, including the historic stadium of Al-Yarmuk.”

On Friday at the congress, Palestinian soccer's leader Jibril Rajoub said “the Palestinian people, including the Palestinian football family, are enduring an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.”

He said 193 footballers were among the thousands of Palestinians to die in the ongoing war which erupted Oct. 7 with Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel.

More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures. About 80% of Gaza’s population have been driven from their homes.

Rajoub, who said he had been threatened because of his sanctions proposal, urged FIFA delegates not to delay the vote.

“The Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs has made serious threats to imprison me if I do not withdraw this proposal, but no power in the world can stand in the way of truth,” Rajoub said.

But Infantino said the matter couldn't go to a full vote of the membership on Friday because it had to be dealt with by FIFA’s governing council.

“I do not want to divide our 211 member countries,” he said. “I have a responsibility as president to apply the statutes of FIFA and its regulations, whatever my personal conviction on these and other terrible matters around the world.”

He said at the FIFA council meeting on Wednesday, all 37 members unanimously agreed to condemn the acts of violence that have taken place and decided to send a strong message of solidarity.

“The FIFA Council also reiterated that football should not and should never become a hostage of politics and always remain ... a force of good uniting people rather than dividing,” Infantino said.

The meeting Friday included delegates from Russia, whose national and club teams have been suspended from international competitions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The legal argument put by FIFA and UEFA was the refusal of other European teams to play Russians would cause chaos in competitions.

Israel has played in UEFA competitions as a member since 1994 and no European federation has refused to play its teams.

KAA GENT AND ISRAELI SIDE MACCABI HAIFA WILL MEET WITH NO FANS OVER FEARS GAZA-RELATED TROUBLE 😵‍💫

 

BRUSSELS (AP) — A soccer match between KAA Gent and Maccabi Haifa scheduled next month in Belgium should be played without fans because of fears of serious riots linked to the Israel-Hamas war, local authorities have ruled.

According to Belgian media reports, Ghent mayor Mathias De Clercq took the decision on the advice of local police.

Gent will host the Israeli club on Feb. 21 in the second leg of their Conference League playoff.

“Based on police information, serious problems are expected,” said Thomas Dierckens, a spokesperson for Mayor De Clercq, as quoted by Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.

“The KAA Gent Arena has no outer perimeter, which makes control difficult, and there is a good chance that public order in and around the stadium will be disrupted. This not only has consequences for the safety of fans and players, but also sporting consequences," he said. "If the match is stopped for more than half an hour due to disruption, UEFA will give KAA Gent a forfeit score of 0-5.”

FA TO REVIEW LIGHTING AT WEMBLEY ARCH IN ISRAELI COLOURS AFTER CRITICISM

Reuters 

The Football Association (FA) said it would be reviewing whether to light Wembley's arch in blue and white in solidarity with Israel after receiving criticism for not doing so last week, CEO Mark Bullingham said on Thursday.

Wembley, the home of England's national football team, has previously lit up its iconic arch with the colours of Ukraine, Turkey and other countries in solidarity.

However, it did not do so for Israel following attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Oct. 7 ahead of England games against Australia and Italy. The decision was criticised by the British government and by the Israel Football Association president Moshe Zuares.

Bullingham said the English governing body had immediately conveyed its horror at the attacks to the Israeli FA and had sought guidance from experts before deciding to wear black armbands and have a minute's silence at the games to mark the conflict.

ISRAELI-HAMAS WAR WONT AFFECT PARIS 2024 SECURITY PLANS - ESTANGUET

IOC Mumbai. Reuters 

The war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas will not affect the security plans for next year's Olympic Games in France, the chief of the organising committee for the Paris 2024 Olympics said on Monday.

There have been protests in recent days with the country being home to Europe's largest Muslim and Jewish communities. France was put on its highest security alert on Friday after a teacher was killed in an Islamist attack.

French President Emmanuel Macron also deployed up to 7,000 soldiers for increased security patrols, as bomb alerts forced the evacuation of the Louvre museum. The Middle East conflict has often stoked domestic tensions in the past.

FIFA PRESIDENT INFANTINO OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO IN LETTER TO ISRAEL AND PALESTINE FA'S

Reuters 

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote to the Israel and Palestine Football Associations on Friday, offering his condolences over the "horrendous violence" in the past week in a conflict that has taken over 2,700 lives so far.

Hamas militants killed more than 1,300 Israelis in their attack on Saturday. In response, Israeli air strikes have killed more than 1,400 people in Gaza so far, authorities there said.

UEFA POSTPONES ALL MATCHES IN ISRAEL AFTER WAR DECLARATION

AP

UEFA has decided to postpone all matches scheduled in Israel over the next two weeks with new dates to be confirmed later, the governing body said on Sunday.

Israel declared war on Sunday, following an attack by Hamas militants that killed hundreds.

CHESS GRAND MASTER JUDIT POLGER REFLECTS ON THE ONGOING WAR IN UKRAINE