FIFA to consider Israel suspension request in October, game against Red Devils to go ahead

Football’s world governing body FIFA will not consider the Palestinian Football Association's request to suspend the Israeli association over the war in the Gaza Strip until October. The Red Devils' game against Israel on 6 September will therefore be able to take place.

FIFA has postponed its meeting to discuss Israel’s suspension from international football. The International Football Federation said in a brief statement it will deal with the request of the Palestine Football Association to suspend the Israel Football Association over the war in the Gaza Strip "in October". 

“FIFA has received the independent legal assessment of the Palestine Football Association’s proposals against the Israel Football Association. This assessment will be sent to the FIFA Council to review in order that the subject can be discussed at its next meeting, which will take place in October,” the full statement reads. 

The Palestinian Football Association had called for Israel’s suspension, citing the impact of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which according to the association resulted in the deaths of more than 250 Palestinian athletes and the destruction of several football stadiums.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had initially promised an urgent review but later announced that football’s world governing body would first seek a legal assessment of the situation. 

The new postponement means that the Red Devils' Nations League game against Israel, scheduled for 6 September, will go ahead. The face-off will take place in Hungary as no local government in Belgium wanted to organise it due to security concerns. 

^{Israel's players pose for a team picture before the start of the men's group D football match between Mali and Israel during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games © FRANCK FIFE / AFP}