​Palestinian FA President Jibril Rajoub Detained by Israeli Military

On Wednesday, Rajoub was detained by Israeli security forces while returning to the West Bank from Jordan. Although he has been released, his passport was confiscated, and he was ordered to appear for further "questioning" on Thursday.

This incident comes at a crucial time as Palestine prepares for the World Cup qualifiers. The Palestinian team has reached the third stage of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time and is set to face South Korea in a Group B match on September 5, 2024, in Seoul.

The AFC expressed shock at the violation of Rajoub's basic rights, particularly his freedom of movement as a sports leader, especially in his role as the PFA president. The AFC emphasized that international organizations and governments should uphold individuals' basic rights, regardless of the political environment.

This situation poses a significant challenge to the Palestinian national team's preparation for the AFC Asian Qualifiers. The AFC will fully support Palestine and hopes they can participate in the competition without external pressure.