Soccer’s international governing body, FIFA, has postponed a decision on a Palestinian proposal to suspend the Israeli National Soccer Team from competition because of the war in Gaza. The ruling now clears the way for Israel’s athletes to represent the Jewish state at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
FIFA was set to make a decision on Saturday regarding the complaint filed by the Palestinian Football Association. However, in a statement released on Thursday, the Switzerland-based organization announced that "additional time is required to ensure a thorough and comprehensive conclusion to this process."
The ruling comes as two lawyers participating in South African-led efforts at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide, released a report this week endorsing the request for sanctions.
Israel’s team is now expected to compete next week in a group with Japan, Mali, and Paraguay in the first stages of the Olympic Soccer Tournament.
