A UN resolution condemning settlements raises pressure on FIFA to take action against Israeli soccer clubs based in the West Bank, Human Rights Watch says.
Six soccer clubs are based in settlements in the West Bank but play in the Israeli leagues, in what rights groups argue is a violation of international law.
“The UN resolution makes it much more difficult for FIFA to pretend that allowing Israel to hold games in the settlements is neutral or acceptable,” says Sari Bashi, HRW’s Israel advocacy director.
A man watches his son during a training session of the Beitar Shabi Givat Zeev soccer club, in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Givat Ze’ev, near Jerusalem, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
“The resolution clearly says that the settlements have no validity,” she added, saying that this means states and bodies like FIFA “should distinguish between Israel and the occupied territory.”
FIFA had been due to rule on the future of the six clubs in October but instead delayed its decision until the next meeting, due to take place January 9-10.
Both the Israeli and Palestinian football associations are members of FIFA and the body’s governing rules prevent matches being played on another association’s territory without permission.
— AFP
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