FIFA, the global governing body for football, has once again delayed its review of the Palestinian Football Association’s (PFA) request to suspend Israel from international football due to the ongoing war in Gaza. Initially scheduled for consideration in July, the PFA’s proposal has now been pushed to October, after FIFA postponed the matter for a second time. The proposal, first submitted in May, urged FIFA to take urgent legal action, and the organisation had previously announced that an extraordinary meeting of its council would address the matter in July. However, FIFA stated that it now plans to review the legal assessment in October, without offering additional details on the assessment process.

The Palestinian Football Association accuses the Israel Football Association (IFA) of involvement in breaches of international law, discriminatory practices against Arab players, and incorporating clubs based in Palestinian territories into its league. The PFA also highlighted the devastating impact of the war on Palestinian football, reporting that 92 Palestinian players have been killed, football facilities destroyed, and its leagues suspended. The national team has been forced to play World Cup qualifiers outside of the region. In response to these actions, the PFA called for FIFA to impose sanctions on Israeli football, including suspending both the national team and club teams.

While the IFA has denied the allegations, FIFA has yet to share the findings of its independent legal assessment. The situation remains dire as Israel’s ongoing military action continues to escalate in Gaza, with at least 40,691 people killed and 94,060 wounded since Israel’s war on Gaza began on October 7. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the attacks Palestinian group Hamas led on October 7.