Media Kampung – 20 Maret 2026 | FIFA Council in Zurich on 19 March 2026 imposed a 150,000 Swiss franc fine on the Israel Football Association for breaches of anti‑discrimination rules and racist conduct linked to fans of Beitar Jerusalem.
The disciplinary panel also ordered that one third of the amount be used for a season‑long anti‑discrimination programme approved by FIFA, covering reforms, monitoring and educational campaigns.
The sanctions follow a complaint lodged by the Palestinian Football Federation in May 2024 at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, which demanded suspension of Israel’s membership over the inclusion of clubs from West Bank settlements.
FIFA’s governance panel advised the council that the legal status of the West Bank remains unsettled under international law, and therefore the request to suspend Israel was not actionable.
Palestinian officials reiterated that Israeli clubs continue to compete in the national league from settlement areas, a practice they say violates FIFA statutes on non‑discrimination and fair play.
In its statement, the FIFA disciplinary board said the Israeli federation had tolerated “politicized and militaristic messaging” and failed to curb systematic exclusion of Palestinians from football infrastructure.
The council’s decision also rejected a separate Palestinian petition to ban settlement clubs, noting that the statutes require a clear legal basis that is currently lacking.
The fine amount is modest compared with penalties imposed on Bosnia‑Herzegovina for fan misconduct, which was 200,000 Swiss francs, highlighting the relatively light treatment of Israel.
The Israeli federation may appeal the ruling, which could lead to a reduced fine or alternative sanctions, although FIFA indicated the anti‑discrimination plan must be implemented regardless.
In the same meeting, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed Iran’s request to relocate its three World Cup group matches from the United States to Mexico due to security concerns.
Infantino emphasized that the tournament schedule, set in December 2025, will proceed unchanged, stressing that altering fixtures for political reasons would be unprecedented in modern World Cup history.
Iranian officials have argued that Israeli strikes on Iranian territory since late February make travel to the United States unsafe, but FIFA maintains that all qualified teams must honor the published draw.
The council’s stance on Iran aligns with its broader policy that “FIFA cannot solve geopolitical conflicts,” while still promoting football as a bridge for peace in war‑torn regions.
The decisions come amid ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, with the organization repeatedly invoking its commitment to use the World Cup to foster dialogue and support for civilians affected by war.
Observers note that the relatively mild punishment for Israel contrasts sharply with the swift suspension of Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, raising questions about consistency in FIFA’s disciplinary framework.
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