34th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress underlined its resounding support for the Palestine Football Association (PFA) here in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday.
With the AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the PFA, the 47-member Congress fully backed the PFA’s legitimate proposal to seek a swift and effective resolution, in line with the regulations and statutes of the AFC and FIFA, to the ongoing systematic violations of FIFA’s and AFC’s statutory objectives, and the horrendous loss of innocent lives in the ongoing war on Gaza that continues to dominate global headlines.
Echoing the sentiments of the Congress, Shaikh Salman said: “The AFC is only as strong as its members and when one suffers, all its other members are affected. The AFC stands together with the Palestine FA, and we join them in seeking effective football-related solutions to the grievances raised by the Palestine FA in their proposal.
“We, as a football community and as a governing body of the most popular sport in the world, have a statutory commitment to uphold the FIFA and AFC objectives and take appropriate steps to prevent infringements of FIFA and AFC statutes and regulations. It is our duty to support the Palestine FA for a swift and effective resolution in line with the rules, regulations and statutes of the AFC and FIFA.”
Shaikh Salman stressed the autonomous and pivotal role of MAs in collectively developing and safeguarding the sport across the Continent.
“Our commitment to stand in solidarity and unity with the PFA is resolute. So many innocent lives have been lost because of this ongoing human tragedy in Palestine that has claimed the lives of more than 45,000 people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, including at least 180 footballers, and has destroyed almost every football infrastructure in Gaza. Therefore, there is potential for us to play a dynamic role in standing up for human rights, including within our own sphere of operations,” said Shaikh Salman.
“We need to adopt an approach that ultimately safeguards and preserves FIFA’s and AFC’s statutory objectives when it comes to developing the game of football in light of its humanitarian values that we all hold so dear. Now more than ever, we have a duty to ensure that our beautiful game continues to bring joy to those who need it the most and we trust that FIFA will show the necessary leadership needed during these trying times of catastrophic human tragedy,” added the AFC President.
At the same time, Shaikh Salman also lauded the exemplary dedication of the PFA in developing the game despite facing immense odds and adversity, emphasising that the AFC would continue to provide its support across all areas of the game.
Credit Photo : AFC
