FIFA fines Israel FA, rejects suspension call

FIFA has fined the Israel Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs (about $190,000) for breaching anti-discrimination regulations but declined to act on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from international football.

In a statement, the world football governing body said its disciplinary panel found the IFA responsible for discriminatory behaviour, racist abuse and violations of fair play. 

The ruling also cited tolerance of politicised and militaristic messaging by supporters of Beitar Jerusalem and the exclusion of Palestinians from football facilities in West Bank settlements.

FIFA said one-third of the fine must be allocated to reforms, monitoring and educational programmes aimed at preventing future incidents.

However, FIFA’s ruling council, led by President Gianni Infantino, decided not to proceed with complaints filed by Palestinian authorities in 2024, stating that the legal status of the West Bank remains unresolved under international law.

In a separate development, Infantino rejected Iran’s request to shift its 2026 World Cup group matches from the United States to Mexico, saying the tournament schedule would remain unchanged.

Iran is currently set to play matches in Los Angeles and Seattle as part of the competition.
Infantino said FIFA does not intervene in geopolitical disputes but seeks to use football as a platform to promote unity and peace. 

He added that no team has withdrawn from a World Cup since 1950, and altering fixtures for political reasons would be unprecedented.