Palestinian soccer players, officials and fans have criticized FIFA for failing to sanction or ban Israel amid its ongoing war in Gaza, where more than 31,000 people, including 13,000 children, have been killed according to health officials.
Calls from Palestinians and their supporters for sport's world governing body to act against Israel have increased in recent months, and comparisons have been drawn with its instant and firm stance on banning Russia and Russian football clubs from all activities. international football when Russia invaded Ukraine almost two years ago.
Russia was a strong candidate in the playoffs for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, but was directly eliminated by FIFA following the invasion, a decision confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
However, almost six months after the war in Gaza, FIFA has remained silent and Israel will face Iceland in the first leg of the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Due to the conflict, the first leg of Israel will be played on neutral ground in Budapest, Hungary.
FIFA acknowledged receiving requests for comment from Al Jazeera, but did not respond to queries.
The fact that the match is taking place has also raised doubts from Iceland coach Age Hareide, who fears repercussions for Iceland if they refuse to participate.
“I would hesitate to interpret Israel for what is happening in Gaza and what they have done to women, children and other innocent citizens. It should not be done and, in my opinion, we should not play this game,” Hareide, a Norwegian, told PressTV.
“It's very, very difficult, and it's difficult for me to have to stop thinking about these images that we see every day.
“If we don't play, we will be banned and risk further punishment by not playing against another member nation.”
“Dismayed, disappointed and outraged”
Palestinian international footballer Mohammed Balah questioned the fairness of FIFA in its “humanitarian and equality campaigns” as it continues to prevent war in Gaza.
“These campaigns are exposing the hypocrisy of FIFA,” Balah told Al Jazeera in Gaza, where he continues to seek safety amid Israeli attacks on the enclave.
Balah has moved several times, remains malnourished and has no means to leave the war-torn strip to join his football club in Jordan.
“FIFA quickly banned Russia, but why is FIFA still silent? [on Israel]? I wish all the players and officials would support us during this genocide,” he said.
Many Palestinian players, fans and coaches have been killed and injured in Israeli airstrikes, including Palestinian national team and Beit Hanoon Club star Rasheed Daboor, who died at his home.
Zwayda Basel youth club goalkeeper Meshmesh was also killed in an Israeli airstrike along with 58 members of his family. More recently, celebrated striker Mohammed Barakat was killed when Israeli bombs destroyed his home in Rafah, southern Gaza.
Sobhi Mabrook, coach of the Palestinian soccer club Al-Salah, lost his brother during the war and fears for his own safety, but he did not expect world soccer officials to speak out in favor of Gaza.
“I'm sure they will remain silent, so all I can hope for is a quick end to this war.”
Balah said it hurts his heart to see how players and sports staff are killed, sports facilities destroyed and football clubs eliminated.
“Israel destroyed my [Palestinian] Al-Sadaqa club, where I spent 20 years,” he added.
“I am shocked, disappointed and outraged. “It’s so heartbreaking.”
'The world has to look with both eyes to see the truth'
The current war began on October 7, when Hamas carried out attacks in southern Israel, killing 1,139 people. However, Palestinian footballers have long had problems leaving the besieged strip to join the national team.
Israel has continued to operate football clubs in the occupied West Bank and its illegal settlements, but FIFA has previously spoken out against sanctioning Israel, citing the “exceptional complexity and sensitivity” and “political” nature of the issue.
Six Israeli football clubs, based in the occupied territory, have continued to operate, while football stadiums and sports facilities across Gaza have been razed or used as makeshift internment camps for Palestinians detained by the Israeli forces during the current war.
Like Balah, Houssam Wadi has also been unable to join the Gaza national team.
“This is not the first time they have killed us, oppressed us and subjugated us,” he said.
“We have been denied entry into [Israeli] military checkpoints several times.
“Not only that, but we cannot travel to the occupied West Bank and play the Palestinian Super Cup. Even within our homeland, we are restricted and deprived of our rights.”
Wadi lamented the fact that several Gaza-based footballers cannot leave the war-torn strip, but Israel is free to play international football “despite having committed countless war crimes.”
For Mohammad Abed, a Palestinian Premier League supporter, the reason why his homeland “has always been treated differently” is simple.
“FIFA is a racist and hypocritical body,” he said.
“The world has to look with both eyes to see the truth, not with just one.”
