RAMALLAH, (PIC)
The Palestinian Football Association condemned the agreement between CONMEBOL (the South American Football Confederation) and the Israeli Football Association, which allows the Israeli football team to participate in the Copa América tournament.
The Palestinian Association said, “The decision comes at a time when Gaza is witnessing acts of genocide, making the agreement morally unacceptable and indefensible internationally.”
In a press statement on Wednesday, the Palestinian Association called on FIFA and the international community to take a stance against the violations committed against Palestinian athletes, who face deliberate targeting, while Israeli sports enjoy international recognition.
The South American Confederation had signed an agreement with the Israeli Football Association in mid-April in the Paraguayan capital Asunción, which paves the way for the Israeli football team to participate in the tournament in the future, similar to the participation of teams from North and Latin America.
The Palestinian Association affirmed in its statement the Palestinian sports’ commitment to the principles and laws of FIFA and the Olympic Charter, saying, “We seek justice, call for solidarity with Palestinian athletes, and urge FIFA to take a firm stance against these violations and stand with justice and humanity.”
The Palestinian Football Association pointed out that it is awaiting FIFA’s decision on July 20, 2024, regarding holding the Israeli occupation state accountable for its practices against Palestinian athletes, expressing confidence that justice will prevail.
The Copa América tournament is held every four years, and all ten CONMEBOL teams compete in it, led by Brazil and Argentina. The Argentine national team won the last edition of the tournament after defeating their Colombian counterpart in the final, in the early hours of Monday, in the United States.
According to data published by the Palestinian Sports Media Union, the genocide war waged by Israel on Gaza since October 7 has resulted in the martyrdom of more than 300 athletes of various sports, most of them children affiliated with sports academies.
