Israel withdraws support for FIFA president

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has been under fire for his initiative to privatize World Cup sponsorship, has received a new blow. The Israel Football Association (IFA) has withdrawn its support for his re-election.

On Tuesday (August 18), Israel officially announced the withdrawal of its previous support for Infantino's re-election as FIFA president. IFA President Moshe Juarez announced the decision in a letter sent to the organization.

Israel has been a member of UEFA since 1994. Juarez himself is also a member of UEFA's executive committee. Therefore, in the context of recent disagreements with European football's governing body, such a decision by the IFA is not seen as very unexpected.

Israel's withdrawal of support is considered a significant blow for Infantino. Because he has been pursuing political initiatives to improve sports relations between Israel and Palestine for some time.

Infantino tried to take a photo with Israeli and Palestinian representatives at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, in April. However, Palestinian Football Federation President Jibril Rajoub refused to stand next to Israel Football Association Vice President Basem Sheikh Suleiman.

Infantino did not stop there. He plans to have Israel and Palestine face each other in the opening match of a new under-15 tournament in the United States next month. The British newspaper The Guardian reported on the matter in June.

The letter sent by the IFA said that recent events had created an “unprecedented crisis of confidence” in the vision of FIFA and UEFA for the governance of global football. It also described the differences between the two organizations as “deep, fundamental and principled.”

In the letter, Juarez said that this situation is forcing all parties involved in world football to rethink the future path. He also said that the previous support was withdrawn after a unanimous decision at the IFA board meeting.

Earlier, UEFA member countries England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland also withdrew their support for Infantino. However, there is support for him. US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Israel, recently warned FIFA that even considering removing Infantino would be a "grave mistake".

In addition, former world champions Argentina, South American football governing body CONMEBOL, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and several other countries have expressed support for Infantino.