Palestine National Youth Football Team denied visas for UK tour on account of being poor

Date: 21 / 08 / 2007 Time: 14:58

Bethlehem – Ma'an –

The Palestine National Youth Football Team's plans for a series of matches in the UK were dashed on Tuesday when the British government refused to issue visas to the team's players.

The team was due to arrive on the 21st August for a three-week tour, including a match against Blackburn Rovers which was expected to draw crowds of thousands of fans.

Visas were denied not only to players residing inside the Palestinian territories, but those living in other states.

The official reason given for rejecting the visa applications was that the Palestinians are too poor to be trusted to return home.

The Entry Clearance Officer at the Jerusalem Consulate said, "The refusal has been taken at the highest level in London. It is in line with current immigration policy".

The Palestinian team was all set to play four games against British youth squads, and was also to receive an intensive training course and visit UK community football projects.

'Racially-motivated'

Tour organiser, Rod Cox, expressed his indignation at the British decision:

"The decision is incredible. Only a few months ago the Foreign Office was considering funding this scheme under the ‘Engagement with Islam’ programme.

"They recognised that the positive nature of engaging people in sport both in Palestine and in the UK helps to keep young men out of the hands of the gunmen. But the ‘Engaging with Islam’ programme has been completely terminated, and no grants will be given this year.

"This tour is supported by the English FA; the professional Footballer’s Association, and was undertaken in Partnership with the University of Chester. Specialist Coaches gave their time freely, and literally hundreds of people have helped.”

Cox continued, "The tour has support groups in Halifax, Bradford, Leeds, London and Liverpool as well as Blackburn and Chester. Many Muslim Charities also financially support it and I cannot see any other outcome than an alienation of all these people from the British Government as a result.

"If even I think this looks like a racially-motivated decision that helps to maintain Israeli Control over Palestinian Muslims, then I am fairly certain that this is the message that will seep through to Britain’s 2 million Muslims.

"It is particularly galling that on the 8th September the Israeli National team will be in the UK to play England without needing visas at all."

'Palestine - Something to Cheer About'

United States-born striker for the Palestine National Youth Football Team, Morad Fareed, elucidated the hopes that were represented in the now-cancelled tour, "Football is one of the very few institutions that Palestine has to compete, to show our statehood, to be on the world stage."

The tour ran under the banner 'Palestine – Something to Cheer About'.

The Palestinian youth football tour received support from high-profile charities, including Truce International, which is currently running a campaign under the slogan 'Kick a Ball for Peace'.

Chairperson of Truce International, Nancy Dell’Olio, says, "The tour is a perfect example of disparate cultural groups working together to use the energy and camaraderie of football to positively introduce different cultures to each other.

"The search for excellence and the focus on improvement gives many children in impoverished circumstances a reason for living, and it definitely works to take children away from violence and guns, things they pick up when they have nothing to do, and all hope taken away from them.

"This decision of the British Government will be seen in Gaza, where most of the team originate, as siding with the enemy. To refuse a national team admission solely on the grounds that they are too poor and deprived to be trusted to visit the UK will not do Britain any good abroad.

"The lives of these boys, who have worked so hard to achieve the position they are in, are just being thrown away."

Barrier to play

Palestine football teams have experienced many barriers to activities in the past. Not only do the players live in divided territories and struggle to meet for training, the border authorities have often prohibited the teams attending matches and qualifiers.

In 2005 Israel prevented the Palestinians competing internationally and detained players in Gaza during a World Cup qualifier.

In 2006 Israel barred the entire team from leaving Gaza for an Asian Cup qualifier in Singapore.

Israel also halted the team's re-entry into the Palestinian territories for over a month after they competed in Jordan in June of this year.

All the provisions for the team's tour had been arranged down to the last detail and it is unlikely that such a tour could be rearranged for the near future. The University of Chester was to accommodate the team during what is currently summer vacation in the UK and would be unable to in term time.

The league teams needed considerable advance notice to plan games with the Palestinian club due to busy schedules. Moreover, coaches who were to train the team had given their time voluntarily.

The organisers of the campaign 'Palestine - Something to Cheer About' have requested that those concerned with football and human rights appeal to the British Foreign Office to revoke its decision, avoid such a decision in future Palestinian visa applications and request a formal response from the UK government outlining its reasons. Written correspondence can be sent to: Foreign Office, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH, UK.

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