Gianni Infantino urges photo, Palestinian official refuses alongside Israeli counterpart at FIFA Congress | OneFootball

At the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on Thursday, Palestinian FA president Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Israeli football official Basim Sheikh Suliman and declined to pose for a photograph beside him, despite Gianni Infantino’s efforts.

According to L'Équipe, both men had addressed delegates from the podium before the FIFA president invited them to stand with him. Rajoub turned down the request several times. The congress also saw Infantino announce his bid for re-election in 2027.

The Palestinian FA has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA declined to sanction Israel over clubs based in illegal settlements in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967 and where daily violence persists. The PFA argues those teams should not be allowed to compete in competitions run by the Israeli federation.

Speaking to reporters, Rajoub urged world football’s governing body to apply its statutes fairly and logically. He described widespread destruction of sports facilities in Gaza and the killing of hundreds of Palestinian athletes and staff, saying it was time for justice. He said the Israeli representative paid no attention to that suffering.

In October 2024, several experts mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, who do not speak for the UN, urged FIFA to respect international law on this issue.

Source: L'Équipe