Palestine’s Council of Youth and Sports slams FIFA’s decision to strip Indonesia of hosting Under-20 World Cup
Occupied Jerusalem (QNN)- The Palestine Higher Council of Youth and Sports slammed on Thursday FIFA’s decision to strip Indonesia of the hosting rights of the Under-20 World Cup after protests against Israel’s participation led to the cancellation of the tournament’s main draw.
“Though we believe sports and politics need to be separated, it is hard to turn a blind eye to national demands because this negates democracy,” the Council said in a press statement.
The statement added, “The Palestinian people are suffering death and destruction at the hands of an occupation empowered by the most extremist, racist, right-wing government in Israel’s short modern history.”
The Council also said it was “sad to see the double standards employed by the civilized world in response to similar scenarios when performed by different actors.”
“While taking a split-second decision to bar Russia from international competitions over its invasion of the Ukraine, both the IOS and FIFA have refrained for decades from taking any small measure against Israel for its illegal occupation of Palestine, its ongoing violations against human rights, its racism, segregation and systematic destruction of Palestinian infrastructure,” the statement added.
“Instead, FIFA decides to punish those who stand with the victims, rather than punish the perpetrators.”
The statement called on FIFA to employ equal standards in the affairs of international football.
“Indonesia would not have been in this situation had FIFA enforced its rules in the case of Israel as it did in Russia. We regret that this has caused Indonesia to lose its hosting rights, but assure every supporter of our just cause that more countries will soon be following in Indonesia’s footsteps. Apartheid needs to be opposed.”
