| UEFA | |
|---|---|
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| Founded | 1928 |
| FIFA affiliation | 1929 |
| UEFA affiliation | 1994 |
| President | Avraham Luzon |
The Israel Football Association (Hebrew: ההתאחדות לכדורגל בישראל, HaHit'aḥdut leKaduregel beIsrael), also known as the IFA, is the governing body of football in Israel. It organizes the football leagues, Israeli Premier League, Israeli State Cup and the Israeli national football team. It is based in Ramat Gan. The IFA was founded as Football Association of Eretz Israel/Palestine (under British mandate) in 1928.
History
The Eretz Israel/Palestine Football Association was founded in August 1928 and applied for membership in the FIFA. It was accepted to the FIFA on 6 June 1929 as the Eretz Israel/Palestine Football Association. The first Eretz Israel/Palestine football league was set up in 1932. In 1956, the Israel Football Association was admitted to the AFC. In the early 1970s, the Israel Football Association was expelled from the AFC due to political pressure from Arabs and Muslims that refused to play against Israel. For 20 years, the Israel Football Association was not affiliated with any confederation and was playing provisionally in the OFC and in UEFA until 1994, when it was admitted to UEFA as a full member. Since then, Israeli clubs have been playing in the various UEFA club competitions and the Israeli national team has been trying to qualify for the European Football Championship and for the FIFA World Cup as part of Europe. This is not only opposed by many people but is confusing as well. Israel is not in European territory and should be legally bound to play in the appropriate region. It has been suggested, as a way to insure AFC games take place, whoever refuses to play will be banned by FIFA. Not playing in the Asian Football Confederation only furthers tensions that already exist in the region. For a sport that aids in 'building bridges' and friendships, admission to UEFA is seen as counter productive.
External links
- Official website
- Israel at FIFA site
- Israel at UEFA site
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