FIFA to seek legal advice on a Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer
BANGKOK (AP) — FIFA will seek independent legal advice before holding an extraordinary council meeting by July 20 to make a decision on a Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer because of the conflict with Hamas.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino outlined the plan at the FIFA congress on Friday after representatives of the Palestinian and Israel football federations had a chance to speak in front of the 211 member associations.
“FIFA will mandate as of now, independent legal expertise to analyze the three requests (from the Palestinian FA) and ensure the statutes of FIFA are applied in the right way,” Infantino said. “This legal assessment will have to allow for inputs and claims of both member associations. The results and the recommendations ... will be forwarded to the FIFA council.
“Due to the urgency of the situation, an extraordinary FIFA Council will be convened and will take place before July 20 to review the results of the legal assessment and to take the decisions that are appropriate.”