FIFA takes 'no action' on allegations of Israeli clubs based in West Bank

FIFA said Thursday it will take "no action" over allegations made by the Palestine Football Association that Israeli clubs based in the occupied West Bank are playing in Israel's league system.

The compliance committee of world football's governing body launched an investigation into a proposal submitted by the Palestinian association making the accusations in October 2024.

"FIFA should take no action given that, in the context of the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the FIFA statutes, the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law," FIFA said in a statement.

In 2024, United Nations experts said at least eight football clubs had been identified as playing in "Israeli colonial settlements" and called on FIFA to "fulfil its responsibility to respect human rights".

"The autonomy and self-regulation in sport must not be detrimental to fundamental human rights," the experts said.

In addition to roughly three million Palestinians, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.

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