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FIFA fines Israeli FA for anti-discrimination rules breaches | The Express Tribune
Palestine Football Association reported allegations of discrimination by the IFA to FIFA
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the inauguration of the Colombian Football Federation’s hotel, where he expressed his support for Mexico ahead of the World Cup, in Barranquilla, Colombia, February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Jairo Cassiani
PARIS:
FIFA fined the Israeli Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,700) on Thursday for “multiple breaches” of its anti-discrimination obligations.
A report by the disciplinary committee of world football’s governing body found the IFA “failed to take meaningful action” against the club Beitar Jerusalem for “persistent and well-documented racist behaviour”.
In October 2024, the Palestine Football Association reported allegations of discrimination by the IFA to FIFA, which began an investigation.
FIFA did not opt for the sanction requested by the Palestinian FA, which argued that the IFA should be suspended.
But the IFA was found to have failed to “abide by FIFA’s statutory objectives”, in a decision published by its disciplinary committee, which listed several racist incidents in Israeli football.
The disciplinary committee highlighted “deficient and substantively inadequate” sanctions against Beitar for racist and discriminatory behaviour.
Supporters of the club “have engaged in persistent and well-documented racist behaviour,” the report said.
“The club’s use of slogans such as ‘forever pure’, and the repeated chanting of ethnic slurs such as ‘terrorist’ directed at Arab players are not isolated incidents but rather form part of a systemic pattern of conduct that offends the basic rules of decent behaviour and brings the sport into disrepute.”
FIFA said the committee had stressed that Beitar Jerusalem were “only a small example of a general failure by the IFA.”
The IFA was issued with a warning and was ordered to display a banner at its next three FIFA competition home matches, stating “Football Unites the World — No to Discrimination”.
The IFA will also have to invest one-third of the fine towards implementing a plan to “ensure action against discrimination and to prevent repeated incidents”.
The report also said that the IFA’s failure to respond to “political and militaristic messaging” by the CEO of the Israeli professional league and by Maccabi Netanya “further compounds its breach”.
“The IFA has made no public statements condemning racism, has not launched any Anti Discrimination campaigns, and has not taken steps to foster inclusion of Arab or Palestinian players,” the report continued.
“It has not used its platform to promote peace or to counteract the politicisation of football by affiliated clubs and officials.”
The IFA responded to the punishment on Friday claiming it did tackle racism but “most of the measures were not publicised”.
“Well before the fine for racism, the Federation and the clubs were already working, and will work with a growing intensity against this repugnant scourge.”
After a separate investigation, FIFA said it could not rule on whether Israeli clubs based in the occupied West Bank could take part in the Israeli league.
FIFA’s governance, audit and compliance committee based its judgement on the fact that “the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law”.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) welcomed FIFA’s ruling, saying “it was a step in the right direction”.
However it added: “The PFA observes that the findings do not fully address the scope and gravity of the violations raised in its original proposal.”
In 2024, United Nations experts — mandated by the Human Rights Council but not speaking on behalf of the UN — said at least eight football clubs had been identified as playing in “Israeli colonial settlements” and called on FIFA to “fulfil its responsibility to respect human rights”.
“The autonomy and self-regulation in sport must not be detrimental to fundamental human rights,” the experts said.
In addition to roughly three million Palestinians, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
Sports
Orioles pitcher takes part in gender reveal as he walks off mound following relief appearance
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A gender reveal took the field at Camden Yards during the Baltimore Orioles’ game against the Athletics on Sunday afternoon.
Orioles pitcher Anthony Nunez gave Baltimore one inning of work and helped keep the team’s 2-1 lead in their eventual win. As he walked off the field, he mouthed to the camera, “It’s a boy.”
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Baltimore Orioles pitcher Anthony Nunez delivers a pitch against the Athletics during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Baltimore on May 10, 2026. (Steve Ruark/AP)
It was an apparent message to his brother and sister-in-law.
“Anthony is mouthing ‘it’s a boy’ for some family members,” MASN broadcaster Kevin Brown said. “His brother and sister-in-law, Danny and Makayla Delgado, are expecting child No. 3. And that, folks, is one of the most creative gender reveals you’ll ever see. Anthony had the answer. Danny and Makayla did not know, and I hope that you two are watching.”
Nunez explained that his family was together for Mother’s Day and that his brother was hoping to surprise them.
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Baltimore Orioles players Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, Adley Rutschman and Dylan Beavers high-five after defeating the Athletics in Baltimore on May 10, 2026. (Steve Ruark/AP)
“He just announced to them today that they were having their third kid, and he wanted to do the gender reveal,” he said, via the Baltimore Sun.
Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson and outfielder Dylan Beavers contributed with RBI against Athletics starter Luis Severino.
Chris Bassitt was credited with the win for the Orioles. He came in after opener Keegan Akin threw one inning. Bassitt tossed six innings, allowing one run on four hits in six innings.
Rico Garcia picked up his third save for the Orioles.
A’s outfielder Carlos Cortes drove in the lone run, scoring Tyler Soderstrom.
Athletics starting pitcher Luis Severino uses a rosin bag during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore on May 10, 2026. (Steve Ruark/AP)
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Baltimore improved to 18-23 on the year. The A’s fell to 21-19.
SYDNEY: Mal Anderson, the first unseeded player to win the US Open men’s singles title, has died aged 91, Tennis Australia said on Monday.
Anderson’s career started on a dirt court on a farm and he went on to become an Australian tennis great, winning the US crown in 1957 and three major doubles titles.
Although unseeded at what was then the United States Championships, Anderson beat three seeds and dropped only two sets on his way to the title.
He also won the Davis Cup twice.
After retirement Anderson mentored young Australian players including Pat Rafter, who went on to become world number one.
“I was really sad to hear of Mal’s passing. He was one of those people who helped shape my tennis from very early on,” said Rafter, who twice won the US Open.
“He was a true legend of the game, but more importantly he was a terrific bloke — humble, generous with his time and always happy to help younger players along.
“Tennis in Australia has lost one of its greats, and a lot of us have lost a mate and mentor. I feel very lucky to have known him.”
Sports
Jacob Fatu unleashes vicious assault on Roman Reigns after World Heavyweight Championship loss at WWE Backlash
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Jacob Fatu put an exclamation point on his desire to win the World Heavyweight Championship even as he was pinned in a loss to Roman Reigns at Backlash on Saturday night.
Fatu got that crazed look in his eye after Reigns pulled off the victory. Fatu was shocked and enraged as Reigns’ hand was raised in the win to retain his title. But Fatu made clear that his pursuit of gold and glory wasn’t going to stop at the premium live event.
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Jacob Fatu wrestles Roman Reigns during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., on May 9, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE/Getty Images)
The “Samoan Werewolf” took his frustrations out on Reigns, Raw general manager Adam Pearce and some of the producers who came out to stop his post-match assault. The attack included Fatu going after the referee, putting the Tongan death grip on Reigns and super-kicking anyone who got in his way.
Reigns got the last word in as he walked up the entrance ramp following the vicious assault.
“This is why we shoulda never let Jacob in this company,” Reigns told Cathy Kelley as he walked to the back. “You don’t belong here, Jacob. There is no order with you. This is your last night here.”
Jacob Fatu celebrates over Roman Reigns during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., on May 9, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE via Getty Images)
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Reigns and Fatu battled throughout the night with a lot of the “Tribal Chief’s” damage seemingly being ineffective throughout the match. But one key mistake ultimately cost Fatu.
Fatu had Reigns in the Tongan death grip toward the end of the match. Reigns clung onto the referee and exposed a turnbuckle in the process. Reigns was able to thrust Fatu into the exposed turnbuckle and hit a spear.
Reigns pinned Fatu for the win, but it sparked the chaotic scene.
Roman Reigns enters the ring during WWE Backlash at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., on May 9, 2026. (Michael Owens/WWE)
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Fatu was last seen holding the World Heavyweight Championship over Reigns, who was sprawled out on the mat. The first battle may have ended between the two, but the war is far from finished.
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