The Palestinian Football Association has officially confirmed that organized sports, including professional football leagues, will resume operations on September 4. This restart follows a nearly three-year suspension that began after the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023.
During a press conference held in Ramallah on Monday, association President Jibril Rajoub announced the return of activities. He acknowledged that the conflict created immense hardships for the Palestinian people, forcing the organization to halt all competitions and athletic programs.
To mark the return, the association has launched the “Thousand Martyrs’ Cup.” This inaugural tournament serves as a tribute to the 1,014 Palestinian athletes who lost their lives during the war, according to official association data. The competition will feature more than 200 clubs, including 146 teams from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, 44 from Gaza, and 36 representing Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, with matches kicking off simultaneously across these regions.
Despite the severe financial challenges facing the organization and its member clubs, Rajoub emphasized that the spirit of the sport remains intact. “We have not lost our Palestinian national will, nor have we lost our belief that sport will remain a symbol of hope and life,” he stated.
Rajoub also utilized the platform to call upon FIFA and other international sporting bodies to protect the rights of Palestinian players, clubs, and children to participate in sports with “freedom and dignity.” He reiterated that the association is not seeking special treatment, but rather the enforcement of legitimate rights guaranteed by international sporting charters.
The association has been vocal regarding its expectations for FIFA, specifically calling for the suspension of Israel’s membership and the imposition of sanctions on Israeli clubs operating within illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Rajoub questioned whether FIFA possesses the resolve to apply its regulations uniformly without bowing to political pressures.
Furthermore, the association addressed broader concerns regarding the governing body’s commercial trajectory, referencing a previously withdrawn proposal by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to involve private investors in tournaments. Rajoub noted that many are currently questioning the direction of FIFA, stressing that for Palestine, the issue remains a fundamental matter of fairness and adherence to international law.
