The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress in Bangkok on Thursday witnessed a dramatic clash between solidarity and political neutrality.
The event, initially intended to address regional football matters, became a platform for a heated debate surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The spark ignited when the AFC, led by its president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, threw its weight behind the Palestine Football Association’s (PFA) proposal to suspend Israel from FIFA.
The PFA motion, fueled by the devastation in Gaza, sought “immediate and appropriate sanctions against Israeli teams.”
Sheikh Salman, addressing the delegates, emphasized a sense of shared struggle within the AFC.
“The AFC is only as strong as its members,” he declared, “and when one suffers, all its other members are affected.”
This statement underscored the AFC’s commitment to supporting the PFA’s grievances.
He went further, advocating for “effective football-related solutions” to address the challenges faced by Palestinian football.
The proposal, submitted by the Palestinians on March 11th, gained traction after garnering support from the Algerian, Jordanian, Syrian, and Yemeni federations.
It secured a spot on the FIFA congress agenda, adding a layer of tension to the annual gathering.
The AFC delegates observed a sombre moment of silence to honour the victims of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A powerful video produced by the PFA, showcasing the destruction caused by Israeli forces, further fueled emotions within the congress.
Gaza, reeling from relentless bombardment and a recent ground invasion, became a central point of discussion.
The conflict, sparked by a Hamas incursion into Israeli territory in October, had already claimed nearly 1,200 lives and resulted in hundreds being taken hostage.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, called for unity.
While expressing sorrow for the loss of innocent lives, he highlighted the limitations of football in resolving such complex geopolitical issues.
“Football can do only very little,” he admitted, “because to change situations everywhere in the world which are tragic, all we can do is to show unity because football is what unites everyone.”
However, the congress wasn’t solely preoccupied with the conflict. A separate, potentially controversial, motion was passed by the delegates.
This move abolished term limits for the AFC president and members of the executive committee.
Previously, officials were restricted to a maximum of three four-year terms.
Only Australia and Jordan dissented, raising questions about the potential for long-term leadership consolidation within the AFC.
The AFC Congress in Bangkok thus became a microcosm of the complex and often conflicting forces at play in the world of football.
While the sport strives for unity, it cannot escape the realities of political tensions and humanitarian crises.
The decision on the Palestinian proposal and the future of AFC leadership remain to be seen, but the events in Bangkok have undoubtedly ignited a firestorm of debate within the world’s largest football confederation.
