Rajoub \'incited violence against Israel,\' says security official London – Tom Rollins FIFA has asked Israel to return Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub’s VIP status, which would allow him to cross Israeli borders without security checks. Football’s major governing body, based in Zurich, revealed on Wednesday that it had spoken to the Israeli Football Association to reinstate Rajoub’s “freedom of movement.”
According to Israeli sources, Rajoub’s VIP status was revoked a month ago after he, and one other Palestinian official Nabil Shaath, “incited violence against Israel.” The security official, speaking to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, claimed Rajoub and Shaath could move freely across borders but would still be subjected to security checks.
The officials’ status change was introduced following the Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations Security Council.
President Rajoub has also been a vocal opponent of this summer’s controversial UEFA Under-21s European Championship, set to be held in Israel between June 5-18. Rajoub called for the tournament to be cancelled in a letter to UEFA Chairman Michael Platini following the \"administrative detention\" of Palestinian national football players, including Mahmoud Sarsak.