Players stress importance of unity and describe how war affects their preparations for the tournament
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Palestinian football match cancelled after Israeli forces fire tear gas into the stadium
Players struggle to breath after tear gas is fired onto the pitch
[Red Card Israeli Racism]
Red Card Israeli Racism demanded Fifa take action against Israeli authorities today after Palestinian footballers were forced off the pitch on Friday when the Israeli Occupation Forces fired three tear gas projectiles into the Al Khader Stadium in Bethlehem.
Five players were taken to hospital for treatment and the official game between Al Ebeidiyah and Al Doha was cancelled.
No reason was given for this unprovoked attack and it isn’t the first time tear gas has been used at a football stadium.
On September 26 2016, tear gas was fired into the hall of the Hebron Youth Football Club and several people were taken to hospital. On February 1 2014 tear gas was fired outside the national stadium in Al Ram causing a league game to be cancelled because players, spectators and officials could not breathe.
RCIR told the Star: “Despite Fifa’s attempt to mitigate Israel’s restrictions on Palestinian football, especially during the now disregarded Sexwale Task Force, the situation is again deteriorating.
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