Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 06-06-2018
Palestinians have welcomed the decision by Argentina to cancel their final World Cup warmup match against Israel as political pressure grew ahead of Saturday’s scheduled fixture in Jerusalem.
Reuters reports that in an interview with ESPN, footballer Gonzalo Higuain indicated Argentina had finally done the right thing by cancelling the match.
The match at Jerusalem’s Teddy Kollek Stadium was to be Argentina’s last before they kick off their World Cup campaign in Russia on June 16.
There was no initial reaction from the Israeli FA or from Israeli politicians.
Reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had called Argentinian President Mauricio Macri to ask him to persuade the team not to cancel their visit.
Israel Radio quoted an unnamed diplomatic official who said the chances of salvaging the fixture were very slim.
Palestinians celebrated the cancellation. In Gaza, people cheered and in Ramallah in the West Bank, the Palestinian FA issued a statement thanking Lionel Messi and his colleagues for cancelling the game.
“The Palestinian FA thanks Argentina’s players led by star Messi for refusing to be used to serve a non-sporting goal.”
Palestinian FA chairman Jibril Rajoub says values, morals and sport have secured a victory and a red card was raised at Israel through the cancellation of the game.”
0 Comments