Norway asks FIFA to investigate Israel after draw in World Cup qualifiers | Israel Soccer News

Palestine demands investigation from Israel

In October, Reuters reported that the Palestinian Football Association asked FIFA to suspend Israeli soccer due to the Gaza war. At the time, FIFA announced it would launch an investigation into the PFA allegations.

“FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee is mandated to investigate the participation in Israeli competitions of Israeli football teams allegedly based in the Palestinian territories,” the adjudication body said.

According to the PFA, at least 92 non-professional soccer players have been killed in the conflict, the Palestinian league has been suspended and the national team has had to play matches abroad.

Why did Norway decide to approach FIFA?

Risa Kravenes, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, is a former soccer player and the first woman to be elected president of the Norwegian association. In 2022, she flew to Qatar to speak out against the World Cup being held there, and also against FIFA’s intention at the time to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.

When FIFA awarded the Kingdom the right to host the World Cup last week, Norway opposed the decision and questioned the selection procedure used by soccer’s highest body. The NFF issued a statement after Israel was placed in the same group as Norway.

“Beyond the purely sporting aspect, the draw is difficult for us. No one can remain indifferent to the unjustified attacks that Israel has inflicted on the civilian population of Gaza over a long period of time,” the Kravenes statement said. “The Norwegian Football Association supports the Norwegian government in calling for an immediate end to the unjustified attacks on innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip,” she added.

Norway is one of only three European countries (excluding Spain and Ireland) to recognize Palestine as a state. The Norwegian Football Federation also noted this close relationship, stating that it has worked with Palestine Football in the past and contributed to the development of infrastructure for the growth of football in the state.

“Furthermore, we are more active in the region than most other European federations, as we have been active on the ground for over 10 years, training female soccer coaches and creating soccer activities for children in schools and refugee camps. and the Palestinian Football Federation,” said Klavenes. he told the Norwegian press.

Did FIFA intervene?

FIFA has not yet intervened in the matter. The commission has said it will investigate whether sanctions are needed, but there is no update on whether or when any action will be taken.

Are there any instances where FIFA intervened?

There are multiple instances in which FIFA has imposed sanctions based on political conflicts between countries. In the last few years alone, we have received two major requests from FIFA. After Russia invaded Ukrainian territory, FIFA immediately banned the national team and its clubs and banned the league from the 2022 European competition.

The FIFA U20 World Cup was scheduled to be held in Indonesia in 2023, but FIFA banned the Southeast Asian nation from hosting the tournament when there was uncertainty about whether the country would allow Israel to host the tournament.

Palestine FA’s reaction to Norwegian support

The Palestinian Football Association expressed its gratitude for the public support it received from the European nation. “The PFA expresses its full appreciation for Norway’s recognition of continued violations against Palestinian civilians and athletes, in line with its long-standing commitment to justice and integrity.” ” reads the PFA statement.

“President Clavenes’ comments reflect the sentiments of millions of people around the world who believe that FIFA and the world of international football cannot remain silent while serious human rights violations continue.”