FIFA delays decision on Israel West Bank clubs
MANAMA, May 10, (AFP): FIFA said on Tuesday it was “premature” to take any final decision on the controversial issue of Israeli clubs in the West Bank, according to a statement.
The communique came after a five-hour long FIFA Council meeting in Bahrain, ahead of the issue being scheduled for discussion by its annual Congress, which takes place in Manama on May 11. take any decision,” read the statement.
It is not clear after the statement whether the issue will remain on the Congress’ agenda.
The Palestine Football Association argues that the presence of six Israeli football clubs playing inside settlements in the occupied West Bank, that are seen as illegal under international law, are also in breach of FIFA statutes.
These statutes forbid another member association playing on another territory without permission. Israel argues that FIFA rules are unenforceable as there is no permanent border.
The issue, which has become a longrunning sore for FIFA, was further enflamed this week after reports that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned FIFA President Gianni Infantino, apparently asking for the item to be taken off of this week’s agenda.
A FIFA commission chaired by South Africa’s Sexwale presented several potential solutions in a report in March, but these were rejected by Palestinian football chief Jibril Rajoub.
Decision to delay was immediately criticised.
“FIFA has today failed in what is a litmus test of its proclaimed commitment to human rights,” said Martin Konecny of the Brussels-based think tank, European Middle East Project.
A Human Rights Watch staffer said Wednesday he was barred from entering Bahrain for the annual FIFA congress in the Gulf state, which restricts access to foreign activists and journalists. believing in myself and the process. “Eventually the game will come together.” The early signs were positive for the 12-time Grand Slam champion as despite losing his service in the opening game, he broke straight back to start a six-game streak to romp through the first set.
Almagro had taken just one set from four previous meetings with Djokovic, but willed on by a partisan home crowd, he held on to his serve despite more pressure from the Serb in the first game of the second set.
The Spaniard had to save two break points to hold for 4-3 and then took his chance to break with Djokovic serving to stay in the set.
The world number 75, who dipped down to the challenger tour after losing in the first round of the Australian Open earlier this year, then looked set for a monumental upset as he raced into a 3-0 lead in the decider.
However, a mixture of Almagro nerves and Djokovic upping his intensity saw the world number two react immediately to level at 3-3.
More Almagro errors flowed to give Djokovic another break for 6-5 and he served out for the match.
“Four consecutive games lost in this level should not happen because otherwise you’re going to lose the match,” added Djokovic. “I was very close to losing it, as well. He was up 3-love. “I’m happy with the way I handled the pressure in those moments, just stayed with him, made him play always extra shot.
“I did my work in the end of the match.”
Djokovic could meet Nadal in the semifinals.
The home favourite needed 90 minutes to complete the opening set, finally finishing off Italian Fognini 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-4 on a second match point after being broken while serving for victory.
Nadal improved to 9-3 against Fognini and has now won 11 straight matches this season; he is fresh from 10th career clay titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion now faces Nick Kyrgios
Djokovic Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Fabio Fognini of Italy during a Madrid Open tennis tournament match
in Madrid on May 10. (AP)
in the third round.
Controversial Australian Kyrgios cruised past American Ryan Harrison 6-3, 6-3.
Fifth seed Milos Raonic is also into the last 16 as he got the better of a battle between two big servers 6-4, 6-4 over Gilles Muller. Raonic will play Belgium’s David Goffin next.
Kei Nishikori recovered from a dreadful start to beat Argentine Diego Schwartzman 1-6, 6-0, 6-4.
Nishikori faces David Ferrer next, who progressed as JoWilfried Tsonga withdrew with a shoulder injury.
In the WTA Madrid Open, holder Simona Halep advanced over 16th seed Samantha Stosur 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Svetlana Kuznetsova remained one of only three of the top 10 seeds left in the draw with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Wang Qiang to reach the quarter-finals.
Kuznetsova will face the winner of an intriguing clash between top seed Angelique Kerber and Eugenie Bouchard, who dumped out Maria Sharapova in thrilling fashion on Monday.
Djokovic says he could have a new coach in place as soon as the French Open in less than a fortnight.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion ended his long and successful relationship with Marian Vajda last week in an attempt to reverse his dramatic slump in form since winning Roland Garros last year.
“I’m going to think about who I want in my team,” the Serb said on Wednesday.
“Right now I don’t have anyone yet, but I think by the French Open or after the French Open I (am) already going to have someone.”
Djokovic squeezed past Nicolas Almagro 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 in his first match since parting with Vajda in the second round of the Madrid Masters on Wednesday.
And the 29-year-old restated his intention to follow the trend of hiring a highly successful former player with eighttime Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi rumoured to be a potential candidate to succeed Vajda.