FIFA punishes Israel with a fine

The Disciplinary Committee of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced the imposition of disciplinary sanctions on the Israeli Football Association, against the backdrop of the investigation that was opened based on a complaint filed by the Palestinian Federation during the work of the FIFA Congress in its 74th session.

An official statement explained that the Disciplinary Committee concluded that several violations by the Israeli Federation of its obligations as a member within FIFA were recorded, especially with regard to the requirements of Article 13 related to aggressive behavior and violation of the principles of fair play, and Article 15 related to discrimination and racial abuse.

The committee decided to fine the Israeli Federation an amount of 150,000 Swiss francs, in addition to issuing an official warning regarding its behavior, and obligating it to implement a preventive plan to combat discrimination.

This plan includes displaying a banner bearing the slogan “Football unites the world - no to discrimination” during the next three matches of the first team in FIFA competitions, with the need for prior approval of its design by the International Federation.

FIFA also obligated the Israeli Federation to allocate a third of the value of the fine to implement a comprehensive program aimed at reducing manifestations of discrimination, which includes organizational reforms, monitoring mechanisms, and awareness-raising campaigns inside stadiums and through official channels, within a period not exceeding 60 days, with the remainder of the fine being paid within 30 days.

At the conclusion of its report, the Disciplinary Committee stressed that football must remain a space for spreading the values of peace, dialogue and respect, stressing the responsibility of football bodies to preserve the principles of equality and human dignity, especially in light of contexts characterized by conflicts and divisions.

The same source indicated that the decision was notified to the Israeli Federation, with the possibility of appealing it before the FIFA Appeals Committee.