The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the President of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), Jibril Rajoub.
He was slammed with a 12-month match suspension and 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.
Rajoub made these statements ahead of a friendly match scheduled for 9 June 2018 in Jerusalem between Israel and Argentina. The match was later cancelled.
The Disciplinary Committee held that Mr Rajoub’s statements incited hatred and violence.
The 12-month match suspension imposed on Rajoub becomes effective today and entails a ban on taking part in any future match or competition taking place during the given period. Consequently, he
Rajoub 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.
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