FIFA will hold a vote on whether to expel Israel from international matches on Friday, in response to the war in Gaza.
Meeting in Bangkok this week to discuss a variety of issues, FIFA delegates will decide if the game's governing body will place sanctions on the Jewish nation for "international law violations committed by the Israeli occupation in Palestine".
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) submitted a request to the sport's world governing body, for Israel to be banned from international football competitions due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
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The motion claims "international law violations committed by the Israeli occupation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza" and says it's in direct violation of FIFA's commitment to human rights and its alleged dedication to keep the sport fair and rid it of discrimination.
In a 12-page letter to fellow member associations, the PFA set out its case against Israel, stating that many of the issues with Israel pre-date the war, and the violence has only exacerbated the problem.
The letter also referenced the destruction of all football infrastructure, including the historic Yarmouk Stadium, and the killing of individual footballers.
The Palestine FA said in its proposal to FIFA: "There is a good chance that some football associations will refuse to play against Israel.
"All the football infrastructure in Gaza has been either destroyed or seriously damaged, including the historic stadium of Al-Yarmuk."
It's understood the motion has the support of Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Yemen.
It's not the first time that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been brought to FIFA's attention, however progress on the issue has stalled according to the PFA.
Palestinian football officials have tried to get FIFA to intervene for years, with several Palestinian football figures targeted and killed by Israeli forces, according to reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Football Australia, under intense pressure from both sides of the conflict, is expected to stay out of it, after the board chose to abstain from the vote.
The PLA proposal is backed by former Socceroo Craig Foster, who last week wrote to the Football Australia chairman, reminding him of his duty of care for all communities involved in "the beautiful game".
"Upholding international law is not taking a partisan approach," Foster wrote to Football Australia chairman Anter Isaac.
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"Rather, it is the only objective action at our disposal that ensures the protection of all members of our football family around the world.
"Any state found by the ICJ (International Court of Justice) to be plausibly committing genocide must immediately be suspended pending compliance with the provisional measures of the ICJ and with international and humanitarian law.″
The Palestinian request also cites the example made of Russia's football teams, who were banned from international competitions by FIFA and UEFA after Vladimir Putin's military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
FIFA supported Russia's isolation from competition because several UEFA member countries refused to play games against Russian opponents. However, Russian officials continue to take part in international football meetings.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry urged Football Australia to stay out of the complexities of international conflict, in a letter to Issac, obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald.
"The importation into Australia of the hatreds and rancour of international conflicts is proving divisive and harmful to social cohesion and community safety in Australia," ECAJ president Daniel Aghion and co-chief executives Peter Wertheim and Alex Ryvchin wrote.
"We call upon Football Australia to remain politically neutral and honour the sentiment of Australians by refusing to support any proposal to suspend the IFA (Israel Football Association) from competition.
"Sport plays an essential role in bringing people together and emphasising common humanity, and it ought not to be weaponised to stoke division."
However, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni, urged Football Australia to vote in support of Israel's removal.
Mashni said 91 Palestinian footballers, referees, coaches and administrators have been killed since the Israeli offensive seven months ago.
"APAN unequivocally supports the Palestinian request for FIFA to isolate Israel from the global football community and to hold the rogue state accountable for its actions, and calls on Football Australia to have the moral fortitude to support the Palestinian's petition," he told The SMH.
Israeli national and club teams have continued to play in UEFA competitions since October 7, but home games have been played in Hungary and Cyprus for obvious reasons.
Israel took part in the draw for men's Olympic competition last month and will play in Paris.
Since Hamas' attack on October 7, that killed 1200 Jews in southern Israel and kidnapped more than 200, an estimated 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.
If FIFA removes Israel from international competition, it will join Russia on the sidelines, with both nations joining the likes of apartheid-era South Africa and the former republic of Yugoslavia, as excluded nations.
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