Israel issued on Monday a list of names of Gaza-based players and administrative crew to enter the West Bank for the UAE-Palestine World-Cup qualifier match to be held in Ramallah on Tuesday.
Once the names of approved players and staff was issued, Gazan players of the national team, heads of some Gaza-based football clubs and members of the Gaza branch of the Palestinian Football Association rushed to Beit Hanoun Crossing.
In a phone interview from the Erez Crossing, Ebrahim Abu Salim, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) Vice-President told Gulf News that the uncertainty and late entry of the players could be crucial. “Gazan players will join the Palestine team only hours before the match kicks off,” he said. “The players should have been there in Ramallah a long while ago to give them the chance for prematch training with the Palestine team.”
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Football Association has urged the Palestine fans to attend the match at Faisal Al Hussaini Stadium to avoid waving the factional flags during the match. “The Palestine-UAE match is a major sporting activity — which should not have any political background and only Palestine national flags will be allowed at the stadium,” said the official.
The Palestine Ministry of Education has played an active role in organising this historic event in Palestine, where the ministry will pave the way for schoolchildren from around the West Bank to attend the match to support the national team. Buses from football clubs from around the West Bank will head to Ramallah to attend the match starting from Tuesday morning.
