[Mhiz Rebecca]

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the
President of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA),
Jibril Rajoub , with a 12-month match suspension.
He was also slammed with a fine of CHF 20,000 for
breaching article 53 (Inciting hatred and violence) of
the FIFA Disciplinary Code, following media statements
he gave calling on football fans to target the
Argentinian Football Association and burn jerseys and
pictures of Lionel Messi.
These statements were made ahead of a friendly match
scheduled for 9 June 2018 in Jerusalem between Israel
and Argentina but the match was later cancelled. The
Disciplinary Committee held that Mr Rajoub’s
statements incited hatred and violence, and
consequently imposed the above-mentioned sanctions.
The 12-month match suspension imposed on Rajoub
entails a ban on taking part in any future match or
competition taking place during the given
period. Consequently, he will not be able to attend
football matches or competitions in any official
capacity, which includes, among others, participating in
media activities at stadiums or in their vicinity on
matchdays.
The 12-month match suspension becomes effective
today, when the grounds of the decision have been
notified.