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🇶🇦 Qatar /Culture & Society

FIFA accused of political bias and human rights failures regarding Palestine

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • FIFA is accused of being a political tool rather than an independent sporting organization, failing to uphold human rights standards.
  • The organization has repeatedly ignored demands to suspend the Israeli Football Association for allowing games on occupied Palestinian land and has not condemned actions against Palestinian players and stadiums.
  • Critics accuse FIFA leadership, including Gianni Infantino, of complicity in human rights violations and war crimes by remaining silent and whitewashing Israeli actions.

FIFA's role as an independent sporting body is being questioned, with accusations that it functions as a political tool that fails to uphold its own statutes on human rights. The organization has faced scrutiny, particularly following its decision to overturn a player's suspension after U.S. President Donald Trump's intervention and alleged referee favoritism towards Argentina.

FIFA's contribution to Israeli crimes has expanded under the presidency of Gianni Infantino.

The article criticizes FIFA's actions under its current president.

In Palestine, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has long experienced what it describes as FIFA's corruption. Despite FIFA's statutes requiring respect for human rights, the organization has allegedly failed to act against the Israeli Football Association (IFA). This includes refusing to suspend the IFA for permitting league games on occupied Palestinian land and on land with illegal settlements.

Furthermore, FIFA has been criticized for its silence on the killing and detention of Palestinian football players, including members of the women's national team, and for not protesting the destruction of football stadiums. The organization's stance on restricting Palestinian football, such as denying travel permits, is also under fire. Critics argue FIFA's claim that the legal status of the West Bank is unresolved echoes Israeli talking points, effectively endorsing Israeli actions.

Human rights organisations have rightly referred Infantino’s actions to the International Criminal Court, accusing him of acting “in full knowledge that these practices constitute the commission of human rights violations, apartheid and war crimes” and ignoring multiple reports and letters on the subject.

The article cites accusations made by human rights organizations against Gianni Infantino.

Under President Gianni Infantino, FIFA's alleged complicity has reportedly expanded. Human rights organizations have referred Infantino's actions to the International Criminal Court, accusing him of acting with full knowledge of human rights violations, apartheid, and war crimes. FIFA's leadership is accused not only of silence but also of actively participating in whitewashing Israeli actions, such as suggesting Palestine play Israel in a youth tournament to 'promote peace'.

FIFA suggested that Palestine should play Israel as the opening match in a U-15 tournament to “promote peace”.

The article describes a specific instance of FIFA's alleged whitewashing of Israeli actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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