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"Dima Youssef, spokesperson for the Palestinian Football Association, said during a press conference in Ramallah on Wednesday that the association had decided to appeal FIFA's ruling before the Court of Arbitration for Sport after no sanctions were imposed on Israeli settlement clubs based in the occupied West Bank. She said the issue was no longer about a lack of evidence or legal grounds, but about documented violations of FIFA regulations. "These regulations have not been properly implemented. We demand equal and consistent application of FIFA rules for all members," Youssef said, adding that Israeli violations, particularly racism and the presence of settlement clubs on Palestinian land, were clearly documented. "We are now waiting for FIFA’s response so that we can act accordingly," she added. Youssef explained that the legal framework concerns the principle of territorial jurisdiction, which bars clubs affiliated with one association from operating on another association’s territory without consent. She stressed that the Palestinian Football Association does not approve the participation of settlement clubs in international competitions. "We noted the justification provided by FIFA in its latest response, which states that the legal status of the West Bank is complex, undefined and unclear. We categorically reject this justification," she said. "Under international law and international conventions, the Palestinian territories are occupied land that will form part of a future Palestinian state." The spokesperson also criticised what she described as politicisation and unequal enforcement of sanctions against different associations. "Does FIFA apply its rules consistently to all member associations?" she asked. Youssef highlighted the wider challenges facing Palestinian sport, including travel restrictions, visa obstacles and the destruction of sports infrastructure. She said up to 98 percent of sports facilities in Gaza had been damaged, while more than 1,000 athletes had been killed during the recent war. Last month, Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub said the association would continue its "legal and international efforts until justice is served for Palestinian sports regarding the settlement clubs." The Palestinian Football Association has formally appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over FIFA's failure to sanction Israel regarding clubs based in West Bank settlements. No official response fro Israel had been issued at the time of publication. In a decision issued on March 19, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee declined to take action over the Palestinian complaint, saying the matter was legally and politically complex and required further study before any disciplinary measures could be taken. The same ruling sanctioned the Israeli Football Association for breaches of Articles 13 and 15 of the disciplinary code relating to hostile behaviour and discrimination, imposing a fine of 150,000 Swiss francs and ordering anti-discrimination banners to be displayed at the next three home matches in top-tier competitions."
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