Palestine takes its case to the CAS after being barred from the FIFA Congress

The delegation from Palestine will be absent from the FIFA Congress after Canada refused to grant the necessary visas, thereby depriving the Palestinian Football Association of representation within international football’s highest governing body at an extremely sensitive time.

This absence is not viewed as an isolated administrative measure, but rather as a direct obstacle to the Palestinian case being raised within the decision-making corridors.

Meanwhile, the President of the Palestinian Olympic Committee and head of the local federation, Jibril Rajoub, was laying the groundwork for action based on the recent condemnation issued by FIFA against the Israeli federation, describing it as “timid” yet at the same time “broke the barrier of silence” and paved the way for a new phase of legal action within the international system.

The Palestinian delegation was preparing to enter the Congress with a clear message: “We want to practise sport like everyone else”, without seeking special privileges, whilst emphasising the unity of Palestinian sport despite political and geographical divisions, and the need to ensure its active presence within international institutions.

Fear of reopening the file on Israeli violations

Palestinian observers link the visa ban to the timing of the Congress, noting that the move came out of fear that the issue of Israeli violations against Palestinian sport would be raised again, particularly in light of the repercussions of the war since 7 October 2023, which led to a complete halt in sporting activity for the third consecutive year, and the accompanying damage to infrastructure and competitions, as well as the killing of over 1,000 athletes.

Experts believe the decision to ban participation may have been driven by political considerations, whether through direct Israeli pressure or as part of calculations within FIFA to avoid embarrassment, particularly as calls within sporting circles have intensified for measures that could lead to the suspension or expulsion of the Israeli Football Association from the international system.

Palestine turns to the CAS

In the face of this forced absence, Jibril Rajoub announced that he would turn to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as a fundamental step, considering that this course of action constitutes a legal right for the Palestinian Football Association to ensure its representation within FIFA’s institutions and to continue pursuing the case of violations within international legal frameworks.

Between the absence from the Congress platform and the move to the sports courts, the Palestinian case is shifting from a direct appeal within FIFA to a legal battle before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in an effort to legally enforce its presence and secure Palestine’s right to participate and practise sport free from political constraints.

Featured image via the Canary