The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has urged Argentina to cancel a friendly football match against Israel, scheduled to be played in Jerusalem next month.
In letters sent on Monday to the Argentine Football Association, the South American Football Confederation and football’s world governing body FIFA on Monday, PFA President Jibril Rajoub protested the choice of venue.
Rajoub accused Israel of “politicising sport” by hosting the June 9 friendly at the Teddy Stadium, which sits on land once home to a Palestinian village before it was destroyed by Israeli forces in 1948 during the creation of the state of Israel.
“Israel, the occupying power, has … [acted] in contravention of universal values and norms governing the principles of sport,” Rajoub said, adding that the match would cost Argentina its sporting and moral reputation.
“They are also misleading the Argentine public by promoting the city as ‘the united Jerusalem’ for the Jewish people.”
According to comments made by Daniel Benaim – the fixture’s organiser – and carried on the Israeli Football Association’s website, more than 600,000 people have expressed interest in purchasing a ticket for the game. The Teddy Stadium has a seating capacity of 31,733 people.
Argentina will compete in this year’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Russia, which begins on June 14. Israel, however, failed to qualify for the tournament.
