xtratime Logo

[caption id="attachment_57132" align="aligncenter" width="580"] FIFA President Gianni Infantino is in Kolkata right now. Image Source: XtraTime[/caption] Internet Desk: The parent body of World Football will not do anything about the ongoing tension between Israel and Palestine Football Federation and it is a closed chapter to them, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated during the press-conference today. The main dispute is with the six teams which represents the lower division of the Israeli League which are based on a settlement. According to the PFA it contradicts, the regulation of FIFA which states that a member country’s teams cannot participate on another associations league without permission. Israel has cited security concerns for its actions and the Israeli FA says it is not responsible for the actions of its government. In 2015, the PFA proposed during a FIFA Congress that Israel be suspended from international soccer but backed down after FIFA set up a task force led by South African politician Tokyo Sexwale. "FIFA has decided to refrain from imposing any sanctions or other measures on either the Israel FA or the Palestinian FA," Infantino told a news conference after a FIFA Council meeting. "These territories are a concern for the international public law authorities and FIFA has to remain neutral." A FIFA statement added: "The matter is declared closed and will not be the subject of any further discussion until the legal and/or de facto framework has changed." The statement acknowledged that the situation was exceptionally complex and said that any interference by FIFA could aggravate the footballing situation in the region. It made no specific mention of the six clubs. Israeli settlements on the occupied territories are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. FIFA said it would "continue to facilitate the movement of players, officials and football equipment in, out of, and within Palestine."