FIFA pledged its support to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) when a delegation from the PFA met in Zurich on 22 September with top FIFA and Asian Football Confederation officials to address a number of issues regarding the challenges currently faced by the association, in particular the problems concerning the travel of Palestinian football players and clubs.

Welcomed by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter along with FIFA Executive Committee Member and AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam, FIFA General Secretary Dr Urs Linsi, AFC General Secretary Dato' Peter Velappan and FIFA Deputy General Secretary Jérôme Champagne, the members of the delegation, led by PFA President Ahmed Afifi, discussed with FIFA a variety of topics ranging from the travel issue to football development programmes in the Palestinian territories.

The positive and friendly atmosphere that prevailed during the meeting provided everyone present with the opportunity to address all open issues and begin to put forth a tentative framework for solutions that will provide a better foundation for the long-term goals of the association.

Also in attendance from the PFA were General Secretary Bader Yassin Mekky, Director Issa Daher and Director of International Affairs Tayseer Barakat.

Further information from:

FIFA Media Department
Tel.: +41-43/222 7272 00 - Fax: +41-43 222 7373 or E-Mail: media@fifa.org
FIFA COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION / Zurich, 23 September 2004 / 2004-0099-PalestineVisit-E.doc