By Anees Barghouthy
RAMALLAH, Palestine
President of world football governing body FIFA Sepp Blatter said Wednesday that the suspension of Israel's membership in the organization would require a majority.
The Palestinians have lodged a motion with FIFA demanding the suspensionof the Israeli Football Association's membership in the governing body.
The Palestinians accuse Israel of discrimination, citing Israeli restrictions on the movement of Palestinian athletes and sports equipment.
Describing the Palestinian motion as "legal", Blatter warned that the suspension of any football association would set a "dangerous precedent".
He also called on the Israeli Football Association to cooperate with their Palestinian counterpart to establish an independent Palestinian state.
"I am optimistic for a bright future for the Palestinian sport, where the Palestinian Football Federation (PFF) practices its duties freely," Blatter said at a joint conference with PFF head Jibril Rajoub.
He stressed the need to find a solution to the problem of nearly six million Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
"All problems facing Palestinian athletes should be resolved – otherwise, it will be a severe loss for both sides," he said.
Rajoub, for his part, said the motion calling for the suspension of Israel's FIFA membership remained on the table.
"The case against the Israeli Football Association is separate from the political files," he said. "We differentiate between sports and politics."
On Tuesday, Blatter called for a "peacematch" between Palestinian and Israeli footballers.
