Palestinian Israeli Conflict.

[pineapple stu]

There's been reports of a proposal to do it tomorrow - Qatar proposing it, though the only places I've seen it mentioned are Israeli and Arab news outlets

I heard someone from UEFA say "This is different" when asked why Russia are banned and Israel aren't...

[Razors left peg]

There's been reports of a proposal to do it tomorrow - Qatar proposing it, though the only places I've seen it mentioned are Israeli and Arab news outlets

I heard someone from UEFA say "This is different" when asked why Russia are banned and Israel aren't...

Its different because of the backing they are getting from the US, fcukin sickening

[Nesta99]

Infantini is pretty brazen and thats saying something after Baltter. Sitting on 'thrones' beside sheiks, cosying up to any president never mind Trump at the club WC that I watch very little of. Its hardly a surprise that he isnt going to rock many boats less that a year out from a wc in the US. It is outrageous that Israel are not yet excluded. On the very minor matter of their group in the context of the overall situation, expunging results isnt much of a headache/excuse with how results have been.

[Mr A]

There's been reports of a proposal to do it tomorrow - Qatar proposing it, though the only places I've seen it mentioned are Israeli and Arab news outlets

Funny I did think that the one thing that might see some movement on banning Israel was the airstrikes on Qatar.. they are big mates of FIFA brass and might be able to initiate something.

[pineapple stu]

Looks like UEFA are potentially having a vote on this next week.

You'd imagine that if it went as far as a vote, it'd be hard for it to be defeated. You can put your head in the sand and ignore Israel. But can you vote against action, given the UN have deemed genocide is taking place?

[SkStu]

sorry if it is in the link but do you know if it is an open vote or anonymous?

[Colbert Report]

They're getting booted, no question about it. I'd like to think that the FAI were the driving force behind forcing a vote.

[Nesta99]

Maybe Im projecting, but bar direct politics between the belligerents I think banning a national football association is a major thing. It could be the biggest single decision that focuses attention than all the theatre at the UN. I did see today that Italy and Spain are sending naval vessels in support of the humanitarian flotilla. I reckon that it is to be on standby for rescue if something happens in international waters, but its not an insignificant development either.

[pineapple stu]

sorry if it is in the link but do you know if it is an open vote or anonymous?

I saw another article where a delegate said it was likely to be voted through, but only spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter

So on that basis I would guess it could be a closed vote, but that's pure guesswork

[Nesta99]

Its very hard to think of federations that would vote against bar the usual, or see their voting being at odds with a countries foreign policy on this.

[nigel-harps1954]

Maybe Im projecting, but bar direct politics between the belligerents I think banning a national football association is a major thing. It could be the biggest single decision that focuses attention than all the theatre at the UN. I did see today that Italy and Spain are sending naval vessels in support of the humanitarian flotilla. I reckon that it is to be on standby for rescue if something happens in international waters, but its not an insignificant development either.

Perhaps unrelated, but I was in Spain the past week on holidays, and the Spanish military were doing training exercises with a whole host of fighter jets, helicopters and war planes, cleverly disguised as a poorly advertised air show around Salou marina. The entire air show was all military planes, and a couple of ex military planes.

My brother was in Lake Garda in Italy last week too and said he saw the same thing happening there.

[pineapple stu]

Israel's Netanyahu apologizes to Qatar for attack on Doha, source says - from Reuters.

Netanyahu seems like the last person in the world to apologise for anything (well, up there with Trump, Putin, etc), so if this is true, then I'd say he's already starting to feel a bit of pressure.

Meanwhile, it looks like Israel's UEFA ban, if voted through, won't extend to the World Cup because that's not a UEFA tournament, and the US (co-hosts of course) have a lot more sway in that regard. But still looks likely they'll be banned from the Euros, the Nations League and from all UEFA club competitions shortly. Not sure quite what that means for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League groups - removing them would leave eight teams short a match, which is important in the league phase of course. Much easier to remove someone from a round-robin group.

Edit - the Examiner is saying Dynamo Kyiv would be bumped up to replace Maccabi in the Europa League as they lost to them in the playoff round, and then a team would be needed for the Conference League

[Nesta99]

I can see the vote or the decision being suspended due to recent political developments. I think this is a watershed moment in terms of support, Hamas reject this proposal (even if unplatable to them) then opinion sways again. Not that it will excuse Israels onging war on the Palestinian people as much as Hamas but it will effect the sesne of how some justify the means sadly.

The apology scarily does show how much infludence Trump has - Qatar are part of his in crowd, so he got Netanyho to apologise, someone who just wouldnt under usual circumstances. So an apology is generally a good thing but if you can make these to do the highly unlikely....