Norway asks FIFA to investigate Israel after being drawn together in World Cup Qualifiers

Palestine demands Israel investigation

In October, Reuters reported that the Palestine Football Association had asked FIFA to suspend Israeli football on the basis of the war in Gaza. FIFA at the time said that they would launch investigations into the allegations made by the PFA.

“FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee will be entrusted with the mission to investigate… the participation in Israeli competitions of Israeli football teams allegedly based in the territory of Palestine,” the ruling body said.

According to the PFA, at least 92 non-professional footballers have died in the war, the Palestinian league has been suspended and the national team has had to play their games abroad.

Why has Norway decided to approach FIFA

Norwegian Football Federation president Lisa Klaveness was a former footballer and was the first woman to be ever elected as the football president of Norway’s association. In 2022, she flew to Qatar and spoke out against the World Cup being held in Qatar and also FIFA’s intent at the time to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.

When last week FIFA awarded the World Cup hosting rights to the Saudi Kingdom, Norway made it a point to oppose the decision and questioned the selection procedure employed by the premier footballing body. Now with Israel drawn in the same group as Norway, the NFF came out with a statement.

“The draw is difficult for us, beyond the purely sporting aspect. None of us can remain indifferent to the disproportionate attacks that Israel has inflicted on the civilian population of Gaza over a long period of time,” said a statement from Klaveness. “The Norwegian Football Association stands with the Norwegian government in its demand for an immediate end to the disproportionate attacks on innocent civilians in Gaza,” she added.

Norway remains one of only three European countries that acknowledge Palestine as a country (besides Spain, Ireland). The Norwegian Football Federation also cited these close ties and said that it had worked with Palestine football in the past and helped create infrastructure in the state for football to grow.

“Moreover, we are closer to the region and the Palestinian Football Federation than most other European federations, as we have worked on the ground for over ten years, educating female football coaches and creating football activities for children in schools and refugee camps,” Klaveness told Norwegian press.

Has FIFA intervened?

FIFA has yet to intervene in the matter. While saying that its committees will investigate whether sanctions are necessary, there has been no update on if and when any action will be taken.

Have there been instances of FIFA intervention?

There have been multiple instances of FIFA sanctions based on the political conflicts between countries. Just in the last few years, two major calls were taken by FIFA. When Russia invaded Ukraine territory, FIFA were quick to ban the national team and its clubs, and ban the league from European competitions in 2022.

In 2023 when Indonesia was supposed to host the FIFA U20 World Cup, but there was uncertainty over whether the country would allow Israel to play on its territory, FIFA banned the Southeast Asian nation from hosting the event.

Palestine FA’s response to Norwegian support

The Palestine Football Association appreciated the support it received publicly from the one European nation and said: “The PFA expresses its full appreciation for Norway’s recognition of the ongoing violations against Palestinian civilians and athletes, aligning with its long-standing commitment to justice and the integrity of international sports,” the PFA statement read.

“President Klaveness’s remarks echo the sentiments of millions around the world who believe that FIFA and the international football community cannot remain silent while grave breaches of human rights persist.”