According to Haaretz, the Palestinians have backed off their push to ban Israel from FIFA. Watch live:
Haaretz reports:
4:50 P.M: Palestinian soccer chief welcomes Eini’s call for a handshake, but demands FIFA vote on compromise deal: “Let bygones be bygones,” Rajoub said.FIFA president Sepp Blatter told the congress that at this point “there is no motion to ban any association from the league.”4:45 P.M. Palestinians introduce amended version of proposal, which drops demand for banning Israel from FIFA, but includes the formation of a committee to look into the freedom of movement for Palestinian soccer players, Israeli racism, and the status of Israeli league teams based in the West Bank.Proposal passes with 90 percent of nations voting in favor. FIFA president Blatter invited Israeli and Palestinian representatives Eini and Rajoub to shake hands.4:40 P.M. Israel soccer federation chief Ofer Eini addresses FIFA conference, after a compromise deal with Palestinians was presented. Eini invited Rajoub to the stage to shake his hand, but the latter refused.According to the compromise, should the Palestinians withdraw their proposal to ban Israel, Israel and FIFA would agree to form a joint committee to discuss ongoing issues faced by Palestinian soccer clubs. The deal also suggests the UN will decide the fate of five Israeli soccer teams based in the West Bank.4:20 P.M. Palestinian soccer federation chief Jibril Rajoub takes to the stage to address the Palestinian bid to ban Israel from FIFA, saying the Palestinians have decided to drop overall bid.Addressing the congress, Rajoub said the Palestinians still demand the UN look into the status of five Israeli teams based in the West Bank.
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