Asian Football Confederation supports proposal to expel Israel from FIFA

The Asian Football Confederation backed Palestine’s proposal to expel Israel from FIFA due to the ongoing war in Gaza at its congress in Bangkok on Thursday, as the regional body also abolished term limits for its senior officials.

Addressing the FIFA Congress on Friday, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa expressed his support for the Palestinian Football Association’s motion, which aims to “impose immediate and appropriate sanctions on Israeli teams.”

“The AFC is only as strong as its members, and if one suffers, all other members are affected,” Sheikh Salman told delegates.

“The AFC stands with the Palestinian Football Association and we support them in finding effective football-related solutions to the grievances raised by the Palestinian Football Association in its proposal.

“It is our duty to support the Palestinian Football Association in finding a quick and effective solution in accordance with the rules, regulations and statutes of the AFC and FIFA.”

The proposal was submitted to FIFA by the Palestinians on March 11 and will be discussed at the body’s annual meeting after being placed on the agenda with the support of the Algerian, Jordanian, Syrian and Yemeni associations.

AFC delegates observed a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Israel-Gaza war and viewed a video produced by the Palestine Association highlighting the destruction caused by Israeli forces.

Gaza has been devastated by near-constant bombardment and subsequent invasion since a Hamas incursion into Israeli territory on Oct. 7 left nearly 1,200 dead and hundreds of hostages.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the issue in his speech to delegates, calling for a united front in tackling issues within and outside of sport.

“We all suffer from what is happening in Palestine. We pray for the mothers who are losing their children and we pray for the mothers who are losing their children all over the world,” he said.

“Football can do very little because to change tragic situations around the world we can only show unity because football is what unites everyone.”

The move came as delegates approved a motion to remove term limits for the body’s president and executive committee members.

Only Australia and Jordan voted against the motion to lift restrictions that had limited officials to three four-year terms in office.

(Reuters)