PERTH, Australia – Football Australia has said it is aware that Palestine Football president Jibril Rajoub has been denied permission to enter the country to attend an Asian World Cup qualifier, but said the Border controls are a matter for the Australian federal government.
Members of the Palestinian team flew to Perth on Saturday morning in preparation for their World Cup qualifying match against Australia at HBF Park next Tuesday.
But a report from local outlet 7NEWS said Rajoub was not among the traveling party, and Australia's Department of Home Affairs denied him entry into the country based on what was reported as a “technicality in his application,” rather than that would be denied. for reasons of character.
In its role as host association, Football Australia has been providing support to members of the Palestinian delegation in gaining approval to enter Australia and a spokesperson confirmed to ESPN that it was aware of the situation involving Rajoub but was unable to intervene.
“Australian Football is aware of the situation affecting the President of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub,” the spokesperson said. “This is a matter for the Australian government.
“Football Australia welcomes the Palestinian men's national team for Tuesday's FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier match at HBF Park.
“In line with our responsibilities as a host member association, we provide visa support to all visiting football delegations and will continue to work with the Australian Government to facilitate the arrival of football stakeholders.”
With one match left in the second phase of Asian qualifying, both Australia and Palestine have already secured their place in Group I: the latter reached the final round of World Cup qualifying for the first time after earning a draw 0-0 with Lebanon on Thursday.
Palestine, which also reached the last 16 of the Asian Cup for the first time earlier this year, was forced to play its home matches during qualifying in Kuwait and Qatar due to continued fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
Rajoub, who heads both the Palestinian Football Association and the Palestinian Olympic Committee, spoke at the recent FIFA Congress in support of a Palestinian motion to suspend Israel from international football, the request citing “violations of international law committed by the occupation Israeli in Palestine, particularly in Gaza.”
FIFA said it would seek independent legal advice on the basis of the proposal before an extraordinary council meeting on July 20.
