FIFA President’s Peace Gesture Rejected at Congress
FIFA President Gianni Infantino tried to stage a symbolic handshake between the heads of Israel and Palestine football federations at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. He invited Palestinian FA chief Jibril Rajoub to join Israel FA Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman on stage, but Rajoub declined and voiced his protest instead. Infantino urged Rajoub again, placing a hand on his arm, but the Palestinian official refused and left the stage. As Suliman remained motionless, the conversation grew heated and the audience could only hear bits of their exchange. Undeterred, Infantino returned to the podium alone to call for unity and hope through youth tournaments. He then embraced both officials separately before confirming his bid for a third term as FIFA President. Many observers described the forced handshake attempt as awkward and absurd.
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