ISLAMABAD: The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) fined the Israel Football Association (IFA) on Thursday for multiple breaches related to discrimination and violations of fair play, according to a report by the disciplinary committee of world football’s governing body.
The report found the IFA “failed to take meaningful action against Beitar Jerusalem” for “persistent and well-documented racist behaviour”. Beitar is one of the most popular football clubs in Israel, winning 6 national championships.
The decision came after a proposal by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) at the 74th FIFA Congress, which led to an investigation into IFA’s discriminatory conduct.
The committee found that the IFA had committed “multiple breaches of its obligations as a FIFA Member Association,” including violations of articles concerning “offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play” as well as “discrimination and racist abuse.”
Sanctions
The IFA has been fined $190,000 and issued a formal warning regarding its conduct.
Additionally, the association has been sanctioned to follow a framework aimed at addressing and preventing discrimination.
The committee has ordered that the IFA display the text, “Football Unites the World – No to Discrimination” alongside the Israel Football Association’s logo, during its next three home matches in FIFA competitions.
While acknowledging the wider role of sports, FIFA said, “the sport must remain a platform for peace, dialogue, and mutual respect,” the report concluded that these values hold greater importance, “especially in times of conflict and division.”
