ZURICH, Switzerland — Global football governing body FIFA has ruled that it will take no action against Israeli clubs accused of operating in Palestinian territory, while separately sanctioning the Israel Football Association for breaches of its anti-discrimination and fair-play rules.
The decisions followed a FIFA Council meeting that reviewed issues raised by the Palestine Football Association at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok in May 2024.
Okay News reports that among the issues examined was whether Israeli football clubs based in West Bank settlements should be permitted to compete within the Israeli football system.
FIFA said it relied on findings from its Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee, which concluded that no action should be taken because the territory’s legal status remains unresolved.
“FIFA should take no action given that, in the context of the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the FIFA Statutes, the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law,” the organisation said.
The question of settlement clubs has been contested between Israeli and Palestinian football authorities for years. Palestinian officials argue that teams operating in territories claimed for a Palestinian state should not play in competitions run by Israel.
FIFA‘s Disciplinary Committee also sanctioned the Israel Football Association following an investigation into racism and discrimination in domestic football. The body found that the association failed to adequately address racist behaviour by supporters of certain clubs, including Beitar Jerusalem, along with inflammatory public statements by football stakeholders.
The Israel FA was fined 150,000 Swiss francs (approximately $190,621) and ordered to run an anti-discrimination programme. Required steps include educational campaigns, enhanced monitoring, and anti-discrimination banners at its next three A-level FIFA competition home matches.
