RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Football Association will not drop its bid to have its Israeli counterpart suspended from FIFA, the organization's chief said Wednesday after talks with the head of world football's governing body. “We will keep the proposal on the agenda (of the upcoming FIFA Congress) for sincere and open discussions by the FIFA member associations,” Jibril Rajoub said at a joint press conference with FIFA chief Sepp Blatter. “There will be no compromising on free movement of our athletes and officials.” His remarks were made as Blatter wrapped up a 24-hour visit for top-level talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in a bid to resolve the dispute. Palestine, which has been a member of FIFA since 1998, is currently pressuring FIFA to bar Israel from international competition over its restrictions on the movement of Palestinian players. “We are convinced that most FIFA members share our views on the situation and will support our proposal ... because racism is one of the greatest dangers that football faces at the present time,” Rajoub said. “We have been patient and have trusted other ways to ... resolve these problems ... but all those efforts and patience did not bear any fruit. Now it is time for the general assembly to decide.” The Palestinians want the matter put to a vote at the annual FIFA Congress, which begins on May 28, where it will only pass if it gets the support three-quarters of the 209 member federations. Rajoub welcomed the idea of an Israel-Palestine “match for peace” but said conditions were not yet ready for such a game. The idea was raised by Blatter Tuesday at a joint press conference with the head of the Israel Football Association, Ofer Eini. Blatter rivals ‘joining forces' The three challengers bidding to oust Blatter as president of FIFA have discussed joining forces against the 79-year-old Swiss incumbent. A spokesman for Dutch soccer federation president Michael van Praag said Wednesday in a written statement that the three share a collective goal “to achieve change within FIFA.” Former Portugal great Luis Figo and FIFA Vice President Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan are also running against Blatter. Figo, however, says he has no plans to quit his campaign. — Agencies
