The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has confirmed that its appeal regarding West Bank settlement-based Israeli clubs participating in Israeli Football Association competitions remains before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The PFA emphasized that legal proceedings are continuing alongside the start of the Israeli national team’s UEFA Nations League campaign.
Dima Said, official spokesperson for the Palestinian Football Association, stated to the press that the association officially filed an appeal with CAS on April 22, 2026. This followed the FIFA Council’s March 19 decision not to take action on the territorial jurisdiction issue concerning settlement-based Israeli clubs.
Palestinian Football Association: The dispute is legal, not political
Said explained that the appeal challenges the process followed by FIFA and seeks to ensure the consistent application of its statutes, particularly provisions regarding the territorial integrity of member associations.
Speaking to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, she added:
The case remains before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and legal proceedings are ongoing.
She noted that the PFA will continue to pursue the matter through official legal channels while respecting court procedures and confidentiality.
She stressed that an ongoing legal dispute:
does not negate the responsibility of relevant football governing bodies to enforce their regulations consistently,
Reiterated that the PFA’s stance is rooted in regulatory compliance rather than political dispute.
FIFA has not closed the settlement clubs file
The dispute stems from a complaint submitted by the Palestinian Football Association to FIFA, objecting to the participation of clubs located in West Bank settlements in competitions organized by the Israeli Football Association.
On March 19, the FIFA Council decided not to act on the complaint, following a recommendation from the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee. The committee concluded that the final legal status of the West Bank remains a complex and unresolved matter under general international law when interpreting relevant provisions in FIFA regulations.
The PFA subsequently appealed the decision to CAS. FIFA’s decision regarding settlement clubs did not include direct sanctions on the Israeli Football Association.
On the same day, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee issued a separate ruling on violations involving misconduct, discrimination, and racial abuse, imposing a 150,000 Swiss franc fine on the Israeli Football Association alongside a warning and a requirement to implement an anti-discrimination plan.
Israel begins its campaign in the Nations League
The ongoing legal appeal coincides with the start of Israel’s national team campaign in the new edition of the UEFA Nations League. Israel will play Austria on Thursday, September 24, before facing Ireland on September 27 and Kosovo on October 4.
Israel competes in Group 3 of League B alongside Austria, Ireland, and Kosovo, according to the official tournament schedule. The Palestinian appeal has not affected the team’s participation schedule.
Alongside the Palestinian appeal, Amnesty International renewed focus on the settlement clubs issue, urging FIFA and UEFA to suspend the Israeli Football Association over the continued participation of West Bank settlement-based clubs in its competitions.
While Israel’s participation in the Nations League proceeds as scheduled, the settlement clubs case remains open before CAS, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings initiated by the Palestinian Football Association last April.
Featured image via MEM
By Alaa Shamali
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