Palestinian Football Association slam FIFA decision to play World Cup qualifier on neutral territory

Palestinian football chief Jibril Rajoub has said it would be "impossible" to comply with FIFA's demands ©Getty Images

It is "impossible" for the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) to accept a FIFA ruling for them to play a 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Saudi Arabia on neutral territory, the governing body has claimed today.

The match, scheduled for October 13, had been due to take place in the West Bank, only for Saudi Arabia to demand it be held in neutral territory due to "exceptional circumstances".

These were undefined but in the past many Arab teams have refused to play in the West Bank on the grounds that it "normalises" Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory.

Any entry into the West Bank involves passing through Israeli land or air-space, a challenge because Saudi Arabia has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

The Saudi Press Agency yesterday confirmed that FIFA had complied with the request and that "the international federation understands the justification put forward" by the Saudis to transfer the game, although this exact "jusification" remains unclear.

Palestine were due to face the Saudis at home in June but agreed to a switch, ultimately losing 3-2 in Jeddah, on the grounds that the October return fixture be hosted by them instead.

They also claim to have offered the Saudis options of avoiding Israel, including flying the players in from Jordan by helicopters.

Palestine played United Arab Emirates at the Faisal al-Husseini Stadium in the West Bank town of Al-Ram on September 8 ©AFP/Getty Images

PFA chief Jibril Rajoub, a longstanding political figurehead who also leads the Palestine Olympic Committee, has insisted they are unable to accept FIFA's ruling.

"Depriving Palestine of the right to play at home is a dangerous precedent and impossible to accept under any conditions," he said.

He is now expected to lobby to have the decision overturned, although FIFA have described the decision as "final and binding".

Tension between Israel and Palestine has been a key challenge for football's world governing body in recent months.

Rajoub has pushed for Israel to be suspended, only to be persuaded to withdraw his demand during June's Congress in Zurich, instead participating in an historic handshake with Israeli counterpart Ofer Enei.

A joint Israeli-Palestine body was introduced, chaired by Tokyo Sexwale of South Africa.

Since then, Palestine played a World Cup qualifier at home for the first time on September 8, drawing 0-0 with the United Arab Emirates at the Faisal Husseini stadium in Al-Ram, close to Jerusalem.

Having more home games is crucial, according to Rajoub, because it shows "Palestine exists and that Palestinians have the right to live in their own independent state".