The Palestine Football Association (PFA) has filed an appeal with the international sports court against FIFA’s decision not to take action against Israeli clubs operating in the occupied West Bank. The appeal, submitted on April 20, 2026, follows FIFA’s statement last month that no disciplinary measures could be taken because the legal status of the West Bank remains internationally unresolved. The PFA described FIFA’s position as unfair and said it had exhausted all internal legal options within the organization.

PFA Vice President Susan Shalabi said the association would continue to pursue justice through legal means, emphasizing that discussions on the issue had been ongoing for 15 years without resolution. She also highlighted the dire state of Palestinian football, noting that most infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed or rendered unusable, professional leagues have been suspended, and player safety remains a major concern.

The appeal has drawn renewed international attention to the longstanding dispute over the participation of Israeli clubs based in occupied territories.