Norwegian footballer rejects Israeli club’s offer to represent Pakistan

LONDON (Agencies): Norwegian footballer Ole Saeter, who is eligible to represent Pakistan due to his maternal ancestry, has turned down a lucrative offer from Israeli football club Maccabi Haifa, citing moral reasons. According to media reports, Saeter was offered $910,000 (approximately PKR 264.3 million) to join Maccabi Haifa. However, the footballer declined, stating that he could not play for a country he considers responsible for violence against children and the elderly. In an interview with a Norwegian newspaper, Saeter said, “Even if I were offered $500 million, I would not join an Israeli club.” He further emphasised that his values were more important than money, rejecting funds from a country he believes is involved in human rights violations. Ole Saeter has previously shared images of himself wearing the Pakistan football team jersey on social media, highlighting his connection to the country. Last month, world soccer’s governing body FIFA delayed its decision on a Palestinian bid to have Israel suspended from international soccer over the war in Gaza. FIFA said it would now consider the Palestine Football Association’s (PFA) proposals against the Israel Football Association (IFA) in October. The PFA had submitted a proposal to suspend Israel in May, with FIFA ordering an urgent legal evaluation and promising to address it at an extraordinary meeting of its council in July.

FIFA said last month the legal assessment would now be shared with its council. The Zurich-based body said it had now moved the assessment back to October. “FIFA has received the independent legal assessment of the Palestine Football Association’s proposals against Israel,” FIFA said. “This assessment will be sent to the FIFA Council to review in order that the subject can be discussed at its next meeting which will take place in October.” FIFA declined to give further details of the assessment, or when in October the meeting would take place. The PFA did not respond to requests for comment. The Palestinian proposal accuses the IFA of complicity in violations of international law by the Israeli government, discrimination against Arab players, and inclusion in its league of clubs located in Palestinian territory. The IFA has rejected the allegations. The PFA has said at least 92 Palestinian players have been killed in the war, football infrastructure has been destroyed, its leagues suspended and its national team required to play World Cup qualifiers abroad. In its proposal, the PFA wanted FIFA to adopt “appropriate sanctions” against Israeli teams, including the national side and clubs.