FIFA back under attack after being deemed to apply double standards by punishing Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, but did not sanction Israel for attacks on Palestine.
FIFA’s decision to punish Russia for the invasion of Ukraine raised pros and cons. A number of parties consider FIFA to apply double standards because it does not give punishment to Israel which has been attacking Palestine for years.
Tunisian football commentator Issam Shawali could not hide his anger at FIFA. Shawali criticized FIFA’s double standards, which prohibit sympathy and solidarity with the Palestinian cause, but sympathize with the invasion of Ukraine.
“They [FIFA] say politics can’t go hand in hand with sport, but in reality they are two sides of the same coin. The unbalanced scale allows what they want and prevents what they hate,” said Shawali Wafa.
The attack on FIFA was also revealed by football observer from Algeria, Hafid Derradji, who said FIFA’s stance would not dim its support for Palestine.
“They [FIFA] asked us not to mix politics with sport when we talk about Palestine. But that won’t stop us, and should motivate us to keep telling the truth.”
FIFA has been heavily criticized for giving Russia harsh penalties following its invasion of Ukraine. Not only will they be banned from playing at the 2022 World Cup, all Russian men’s, women’s and clubs’ teams will also be banned from participating in FIFA and UEFA competitions indefinitely.
The criticism arises because FIFA is considered to apply double standards, turning a blind eye to the attacks launched by Israel against Palestinians.
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