Gianni Infantino’s attempt at forcing Israel-Palestine handshake backfires at Fifa Congress

Gianni Infantino ’s attempt to force a handshake between representatives of the Israel Football Association and the Palestine football federation backfired spectacularly and instead caused a heated moment at the Fifa Congress in Vancouver. The Fifa president, who opened the congress by saying football has a power to “unite the world” , called Jibril Rajoub, the president of the Palestinian football federation, and Basim Sheikh Suliman, the Israel FA Vice-President, onto the stage and in front of the other delegates in the room. But Rajoub refused to stand next to Suliman when Infantino attempted to bring them closer together for a handshake and photo opportunity, and stood his ground when Infantino placed a hand on his shoulder and encouraged him to co-operate.

Suliman was also motionless. When Rajoub refused to stand with his counterpart, he shouted “we are suffering” to the crowd. Infantino then approached Rajoub in a move to defuse the situation and spoke into his ear before they shook hands and he left the stage.

Infantino also embraced Suliman before they all left the stage to applause. Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub, right, walks away from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, center, after refusing to stand together with Israel Football Association Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman, left (AP) Rajoub and Suliman had earlier addressed the congress and gave separate speeches. Rajoub used his speech to criticise Fifa’s decision to not sanction Israel over football clubs based in West Bank settlements.

Last week, the PFA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against Fifa’s ruling. Speaking to members of the media afterwards, Rajoub said: “The guy who spoke on behalf of Israel, he did not even pay attention to the suffering, to what’s going on. He is trying to whitewash the ugly face of this Israeli government.