Saudi working to expel Israel from FIFA

Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd, General President of Youth Welfare authority in Saudi Arabia, said in an interview with the Saudi Sabq electronic newspaper that the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has agreed to put Israeli violations against Palestinian sports to a vote at its next meeting, stressing that Israel may be expelled or have its membership suspended if it does not provide sufficient pledges and an apology for its practices.

Prince Nawaf told the newspaper that nearly 11 months ago, he had received a detailed report from the Palestinian Football Federation and officials there in his capacity as President of the Arab Football Union and the Sports Union for Islamic Solidarity, on the repression of Palestinian athletes by imposing restrictions on their football games and other sports , and failure to facilitate the entry of sports equipment to Palestine, and deliberately delaying Palestinian teams from taking part in international sports events, which contradicts international law and norms.

He added that he had frequently contacted FIFA President Joseph Blatter as well as other unions to highlight the suffering of Palestinian athletes.