Israel FA fined for 'discrimination and racist abuse'

Fifa has fined the Israeli Football Association 150,000 Swiss Francs (£141,700) and issued a warning about its future conduct after investigating an "alleged offence of discrimination" raised by the Palestine Football Association (PFA).

A disciplinary committee looked into the IFA's handling of racism in Israeli football as part of a PFA complaint at the 74th Fifa congress in May 2024.

World football's governing body found the IFA had committed breaches of "articles 13 (offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play) and 15 (discrimination and racist abuse) of the Fifa disciplinary code".

In addition to the fine and warning, the IFA has to display "a significant and highly visible banner with the words 'Football Unites the World - No to Discrimination' alongside the Israel Football Association's logo" at its next three home matches.

"The size, layout, and positioning of the banner in the stadium shall be submitted by the Israel Football Association to Fifa at the latest 15 days before each match for approval," said Fifa in a statement.

It has also ordered the IFA to "invest one third of the fine ... towards the implementation of a comprehensive plan to ensure action against discrimination and to prevent repeated incidents".

Shlomi Barzel, the head of communications for the IFA, said in a statement: "Even before the fine regarding racism was decided the IFA and the clubs acted, are acting, and will act even more vigorously against the sickening scourge.

"Even if the fine was one dollar, the very use of racism is repulsive. It is never consolation that there is also ignorance in other places."

Fifa added "the decision remains subject to a potential appeal" by the IFA.

The PFA also accused the IFA of "allowing inclusion of football teams located on the territory of another association (Palestine) in its national league".

On this, Fifa said it "should take no action given that ... the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law".

"We are constantly working in various ways to repel time and time again desperate attempts to harm Israeli football for political reasons," Barzel also stated.

"This will not stop, but there are those who listened to us with a willing heart and understood very well that they should not fall into this trap. I am convinced that we will continue to face great challenges in the international arena, but also beautiful days on the pitch."

Meanwhile, the Palestine FA said its national team's friendly matches against Mauritania and Benin in Morocco later this month have been cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East.