FIFA sanctions Israel over ‘discrimination’ against Palestine, imposes fine and strict measures

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Israel Football Association following an investigation into allegations of discrimination raised by the Palestinian Football Association.

The case originated from a proposal submitted by the Palestinian Football Association at the 74th FIFA Congress, after which the FIFA Council mandated a formal inquiry into the matter. Upon concluding its investigation, the Disciplinary Committee determined that the Israel Football Association had committed multiple breaches of its obligations as a FIFA Member Association.

As a result, sanctions have been imposed for violations of Articles 13 (Offensive behaviour and breaches of fair play principles) and 15 (Discrimination and racist abuse) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

Sanctions imposed

The Disciplinary Committee outlined the following measures:

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• Financial penalty: The Israel Football Association has been fined CHF 150,000, subject to compliance conditions.

• Formal warning: The association has received an official warning regarding its conduct.

• Mandatory prevention plan: The IFA must implement a structured anti-discrimination programme with specific directives.

Compliance directives

As part of the disciplinary measures, the Israel Football Association is required to:

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• Display a prominent banner reading “Football Unites the World – No to Discrimination” alongside its official logo during its next three A-level FIFA competition home matches. The banner’s design, size, and placement must be submitted to FIFA for approval at least 15 days before each fixture.

• Allocate one-third of the imposed fine within 60 days toward a comprehensive anti-discrimination plan. This initiative must align with Article 15, paragraph 7 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and include reforms, operational protocols, monitoring systems, and educational campaigns across stadiums and official communication platforms for an entire season.

• Settle the remaining balance of the fine within 30 days of notification of the decision.

FIFA’s position

While reaffirming that its mandate is limited to enforcing its regulatory framework, the Disciplinary Committee emphasised that football cannot be detached from the broader human context. It stressed that the sport must continue to serve as a platform for peace, dialogue, and mutual respect, underscoring its responsibility to uphold values of dignity, equality, and humanity—particularly during periods of conflict and division.

The Israel Football Association has been formally notified of the decision, which has also been published on FIFA’s official legal platform. In accordance with FIFA regulations, the ruling remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.