FIFA 'cannot solve geopolitical problems' like Gaza, says Infantino | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that football is unable to solve geopolitical problems like the conflict in Gaza.
- Infantino emphasized FIFA's commitment to promoting peace and unity through football, despite the ongoing conflicts.
- There are growing calls, including from the Norwegian Football Federation head, for FIFA to suspend Israel's national team.
- FIFA's recent statements avoided any mention of Israel or its football federation, drawing comparison to the ban on Russia.
- Infantino met with Palestinian Football Association chief Jibril Rajoub following these developments.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed mounting pressure to suspend Israel over the situation in Gaza, asserting that football "cannot solve geopolitical problems." During a FIFA Council meeting, Infantino stressed the importance of promoting peace and unity, stating that FIFA is committed to harnessing football's unifying values globally. Despite calls from figures like the head of the Norwegian Football Federation to ban Israel, similar to the ban imposed on Russia after the Ukraine invasion, Infantino's official statements and social media posts made no direct mention of Israel or its football federation. Infantino later met with Palestinian Football Association chief Jibril Rajoub in Zurich to discuss the situation, commending the PFA's resilience, though the core issue of potential sanctions remained unaddressed publicly by FIFA's leadership.
