Zurich, Sept 3, 2013: AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has welcomed the outcome of the newly-created FIFA Task Force for improving situation of football in Palestine and hoped that it will help in the free movement of footballers, match officials and equipment to and from the West Asian country.
“I believe the appointment of liaison officers in each other’s associations and setting up a deadline for application of permits and other related authorisations will help both the associations draft a plan to work accordingly with their respective governments,” Shaikh Salman said.
“I feel the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two football governing bodies will spell out all the terms clearly and the football fraternity will know the concrete outcome by next month.”
“I hope that both the associations will work towards bilateral solution to this issue and AFC will no longer have to face the issue of movement of players and officials to and from Palestine in the future,” he added.
“I would like to thank FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter for this initiative and would like to see Palestine host more AFC competitions in the future.”
The first meeting of the FIFA Task Force was attended by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, UEFA President Michel Platini, FIFA Vice-President and President of the Jordan Football Association HRH Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Palestinian Football Association President General Jibril Rajoub and Israel Football Association President Avi Luzon.
The establishment of the Task Force was announced by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter in early July, following the mandate he received during the 63rd FIFA Congress and his subsequent trip to the Middle East.
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