The president of FIFA (International Football Federation), Gianni Infantino, said on Thursday (2) that football cannot resolve conflicts, but must carry a message of peace and unity, while Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions feed appeals for the sport to position itself.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to unite people in a divided world,” Infantino said during a FIFA council meeting in Zurich, where he met Palestinian Federation President Jibril Rajoub.
“Our thoughts are with those who suffer in the many conflicts around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey now is peace and unity.”
Infantino said the running agency of world football could not resolve geopolitical crises, but “can and should promote football around the world by taking advantage of its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
“I found myself today with the president of PFA (Palestinian Football Association), Jibril Rajoub, at the FIFA’s house in Zurich to discuss the current situation in the Middle East region,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.
“Praise President Rajoub and PFA for his resilience at this time and reiterate him FIFA’s commitment to use the power of football to unite people in a divided world.”
FIFA has faced repeated appeals to act on war in Gaza, with Palestinian authorities by pressing on the suspension of Israel of international football.
The issue has been under revision by FIFA for months, but no decision has been made. Infantine has consistently said that such matters require consensus with confederations and must be dealt with with caution.
The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani notes that any decision on Israel’s participation in European competitions, including the World Cup qualifiers, was a question for UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), effectively putting the burden on the European agency.
“First of all, (Israel) is a member of UEFA, not unlike me to deal with a member of my region for any reason … They have to deal with it,” Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business on Wednesday.
Israel is in third place in Group I of Europe in the qualification phase for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA on Wednesday asking them to suspend the Israeli Football Association.
