Amman: The executive committee of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) has called for increased international pressure and immediate steps to halt ongoing Israeli violations in Gaza and Palestine, which have impacted all aspects of life, including sports.
According to Jordan News Agency, during its 35th meeting held in Amman under the chairmanship of HRH Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, the committee highlighted that Israel's systematic restrictions on Palestinian sports have led to a complete standstill in the occupied territories. The committee cited the deliberate destruction of sports facilities in Gaza and the prevention of athletes from traveling and competing in regional and international tournaments as flagrant violations of international laws and conventions.
The committee emphasized the need for unified international efforts, including by continental and global federations, to confront these practices, protect the rights of Palestinian athletes, and ensure the resumption of sports as a vital part of Palestinian national and cultural identity.
The committee also called for activating legal and human rights mechanisms and engaging with FIFA and UEFA to press them to adopt a clear and firm stance against the violations and hold those responsible accountable.
The meeting was attended by WAFF First Vice President Jibril Rajoub, Second Vice President Sheikh Ali Al Khalifa, and members Lamia Al-Buhayan, Adnan Darjal, Mohsen Al-Masrouri, Samaan Douaihy, Hassan Bashanfar, Hisham Al-Zarouni, and Mohammed Al-Suwaidi.
The committee approved a report presented by WAFF Secretary-General Khalil Al-Salem on recent administrative activities and tournaments, along with details of a new system for WAFF Under-23 competitions starting with the next edition. It also endorsed the secretary-general's report, the minutes of committee meetings, last year's financial statements, and the draft budget for the coming year.
The meeting discussed recommendations by a WAFF trilateral committee tasked with submitting proposals to the Asian Football Confederation, including the adoption of WAFF tournaments as qualifying events for continental finals. Members expressed that the proposal would expand the competition base in regional tournaments.
The committee agreed to move forward with the proposal and seek consensus among West Asian federations, and then with other regional federations in Asia, before formally submitting the demands to the AFC.
The executive committee also reviewed a letter from the Yemeni Football Association regarding incidents at the 11th U-17 Championship, during which age verification tests were conducted. WAFF affirmed that the tests were intended to ensure fairness and equality among all teams, stressing its commitment to impartiality with all member federations and appreciating the role of the Yemeni FA and others in supporting WAFF programs and tournaments.