By Andrew Warshaw
July 23 – Palestine has made another bold move to make its political presence felt in Middle East football by putting its name forward to host the FIFA Congress in 2017.
The country is one of 10 nations to have expressed interest in staging FIFA’s hugely symbolic annual meeting when, for the only time during the year, its entire membership converge under one roof.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter recently visited both Palestine and Israel for high-level talks with both government and sporting authorities over the thorny issue of freedom of movement for Palestinian footballers who claim they are frequently prevented by Israel from travelling between Gaza and the West Bank.
FIFA’s executive committee will make its choice in December, with Israel especially interested in the outcome. If Palestine gets the nod, the Israeli authorities would have no option but to guarantee delegations from FIFA’s 209-strong membership to travel freely in and out of the region.
After inviting candidates for both the 2016 and 2017 Congresses, FIFA said in a statement: “The 209 member associations were invited to submit a declaration of interest by the end of June 2013 and the procedure has been very successful, with a long list of candidates to host the most important gathering of international football’s governing body.
“For the Congress 2016, the following associations have expressed interest: Costa Rica, Canada, Greece, Jamaica, Jordan, Korea Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
“For the Congress 2017, Costa Rica, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Malaysia, Palestine, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates have expressed interest.
“The candidates will now have to present a formal bid, with the final decision on the hosts currently scheduled to take place at the FIFA Executive Committee meeting in December 2013.”
FIFA’s 2014 congress will be held in Sao Paulo prior to the kick off of the World Cup finals in Brazil. The 2015 congress, where the FIFA president will be elected, will be held in Zurich.
Contact the writer if this story at moc.l1734934883labto1734934883ofdlr1734934883owedi1734934883sni@w1734934883ahsra1734934883w.wer1734934883dna1734934883