Palestinian Official Snubs Israeli Delegate at FIFA Congress

A tense moment unfolded at the FIFA congress in Vancouver, where an attempted joint appearance by Israeli and Palestinian football officials failed to materialize.

Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub refused to take the stage alongside Israeli Football Association vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman after FIFA president Gianni Infantino invited them to speak together. According to several sources, Infantino had sought a joint photo ahead of announcing his candidacy.

Infantino brushed over the incident and went on to confirm he would seek a third term. The election is set to take place at next year’s congress in Rabat, Morocco, with no strong challenger expected.

“I want to confirm that I will run for FIFA president again next year”, Infantino said. “I wanted you to be the first to know. Thank you for your support.”

“We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice-president Suliman. Let’s work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters”, he said.

(guardian, bak)