RAMALLAH, August 28, 2018 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Cabinet criticized on Tuesday what it said was the double standard showed by the world football association, FIFA, in dealing with Palestine and Israel.

The Cabinet said in a statement issued after its weekly meeting in Ramallah that it rejects FIFA decision to ban the head of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, from attending FIFA games for one year and to fine him $20,000 for alleged incitement, “expressing its condemnation of FIFA’s double standard by punishing Palestine and disregarding all Israeli repressive measures against Palestinian sports and athletes.”

The Cabinet wondered about the role of FIFA in the case of the football clubs in the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and their role in what it was were Israeli crimes against Palestinian sports that included arresting and targeting athletes, bombing stadiums and sports facilities, preventing entry of sports equipment to Palestine and obstructing the movement of athletes.

It expressed its regret that “the allegations and pressure exerted by the Israeli settler groups on FIFA were successful at a time the Palestinians were struggling to curb Israel, the occupying Power, from politicizing and exploiting sport to whitewash its illegal actions in contravention of the universal values and standards governing the principles of sports.”

M.K.