DaysofPal—The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) on Tuesday welcomed a statement from Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation, calling on FIFA to investigate Israeli violations ahead of a World Cup qualifying match between Norway and Israel.
Klaveness expressed grave concerns about the situation in Gaza, stating that Norway’s participation in matches against Israel extends beyond the boundaries of sport. She condemned the ongoing targeting of civilians in Gaza, framing the issue as a moral and humanitarian crisis.
In a statement, the PFA praised Norway’s principled stance, describing it as a reflection of growing international calls for accountability and justice.
The association stressed that FIFA and the global football community must not remain silent in the face of what it characterized as severe human rights violations.
Targeting Palestinian Sports
The PFA highlighted what it called a systematic campaign against Palestinian sports by Israeli forces, pointing to attacks on athletes and the destruction of critical sports infrastructure.
These actions, the association argued, violate FIFA’s regulations and international humanitarian law. The PFA reported that these violations have led to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian athletes and caused widespread devastation to the sports community.
In its statement, the PFA also accused the Israeli Football Association of complicity, sayung that it enables racism, uses football as a tool to justify territorial annexation, and turns a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Such actions, the PFA contended, undermine football’s core principles of fairness, unity, and respect.
The PFA urged FIFA, UEFA, and other national football associations to take decisive action by suspending all sporting relations with Israel until it complies with international law.
In addition, the association emphasized that the ethical and legal responsibilities of these organizations demand an immediate and transparent investigation into Israel’s conduct.
The PFA concluded its statement by reaffirming its belief in football as a platform for peace and justice, urging the global sports community to uphold the values that underpin the game.
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