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«At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to unite people in a divided world. Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the numerous conflicts that exist today around the world, and the most important message that football can convey at this time is that of peace and unity», he affirmed.
According to the organization, Infantino assured that «la FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems, but it can and must promote football around the world by leveraging its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values».
FIFA Takes No Action Against the Israeli Football Association
The FIFA Council did not adopt any decision against the Israeli Football Association at the first meeting after the Palestinian Football Association and the UN expert group, including the rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, asked for the suspension of that country’s national team from international competitions “in response to the ongoing genocide in the occupied Palestinian territory.”The CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president, the Canadian Victor Montagliani, already stated yesterday in London that the organization would not act against Israel and reminded that the Federation of that country is a member of UEFA, whose president, the Slovenian Alexander Ceferin, is one of the 37 members of the FIFA Council.
The Israeli national team is playing the qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is third in Group I, with nine points after five matches, behind Norway (15) and Italy (9) and ahead of Estonia and Moldova. It will play its next match on the 11th in Norway and will visit Italy on the 14th.
Dialogue for balance between clubs and national teams
FIFA explained in a statement that its Council received an update on public attacks, legal challenges, and the ongoing lack of transparency, governance, and stability of certain organizations in relation to the relationships between stakeholders in professional football.According to the organization, “the motivations of these organizations are outside the established pyramidal model that supports club football and national teams at a global, continental, and national level.”
“The FIFA Council recognized that this represents a threat to the existing global pyramidal structure of football and reiterated the need to be strong and united in the face of these attacks,” it added.
Infantino assured that “FIFA will continue to invite all stakeholders to a meaningful dialogue to protect players, find the right balance between club football and national teams at a global level, and improve football for the future.”
At the meeting, which was attended as observers by the president of the Swiss Association, Peter Knäbel, the president of the European Club Association (ECA), Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, and the president of the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee, Bruno Chiomento, members were also appointed for the newly created Standing Committees for the period 2025-2029.
“The new Standing Committees will lead to greater participation from our Member Associations, confederations and other stakeholders in our decision-making processes, greater female representation and greater technical specialization in various areas relevant to football. FIFA will be better equipped to face the future,” Infantino highlighted.CategoriesSports
