Palestinians bent on ousting Israel from FIFA

RAMALLAH — The head of the Palestine Football Association says he is pressing forth with his bid to oust Israel from FIFA despite efforts from its president to defuse the crisis.

Jibril Rajoub says Monday that he “will not withdraw the motion and will not accept any compromise and any side deals.”

FIFA President Sepp Blatter was recently in the region on a self-described “mission of peace” to resolve tensions between the two sides.

Palestinians say Israeli security restrictions are limiting the movement of Palestinian players, visiting teams and equipment and have put forward a proposal to suspend Israel from world soccer at the 209-nation FIFA meeting on May 29. Blatter opposes the suspension vote, saying Israel has not broken FIFA statutes in a political issue outside of soccer’s control.

— AP