The Youth and Sports Department of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) has condemned Israeli action against Palestinian sportsmen through the refusal to issue permits for nine Palestinian players from Khan Younis Youth Club.
The players were meant to participate in Palestine’s Championship held in the West Bank.
The Sports Department said in a statement yesterday, “Israel defied all agreements which it promised FIFA it would respect,” adding that this “requires international intervention … especially the United Nations, to stop Israel and bring it to account for these violations.”
Politics, Permits and Football between Gaza & the West Bank.
Or simply – the #PalestineCup.https://t.co/lPFGabrabM pic.twitter.com/CAkl0QZjlQ— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) July 27, 2016
The Department added that Israel continues its violations against Palestinian sports by continuously carrying out punitive measures and by violating the rules specified by FIFA.
Four players from Hebron’s Ahli team were prevented from entering Gaza two days ago. The team won a match against Khan Younis Youth Club and was scheduled to play another match in Hebron.
(PC, SAFA)
