Uefa’s president and Fifa have persuaded Israel to abandon plans to demolish a Palestinian children’s football pitch.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin and his Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino joined forces to preserve the facility located adjacent to the Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem.
The intervention came following mounting pressure from local campaigners who expressed alarm at the proposed destruction of the 3G surface.
Sources close to the negotiations described Ceferin's direct involvement as "highly significant" in persuading Israeli authorities to reverse their position.
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The synthetic turf facility was constructed in 2021 on land bordering the refugee camp.
It is situated on the outskirts of Bethlehem and close to Israel's separation barrier.
More than 200 youngsters from the camp regularly use the pitch, which represents the sole sporting venue available in the densely populated area.
Israeli officials maintained that proper construction permits had never been obtained for the facility.
Uefa’s president and Fifa have persuaded Israel to abandon plans to demolish a Palestinian children’s football pitch
|GETTY
Authorities also cited security concerns relating to the pitch's location near the separation wall as justification for the planned demolition.
Children from neighbouring refugee camps, including Bayt Jibrin, also rely on the facility for recreation.
Ceferin reached out to the Israel Football Association on multiple occasions in recent weeks, making the case for the pitch's preservation.
Infantino pursued a parallel diplomatic channel, engaging with senior Swiss government figures who subsequently raised the matter with Israel's ambassador.
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The intervention came following mounting pressure from local campaigners who expressed alarm at the proposed destruction of the 3G surface
|GETTY
Fifa also maintained ongoing discussions with the Israeli FA throughout the process.
A coalition of Swiss parliamentarians had separately voiced their concerns to both football governing body presidents, adding further impetus to the campaign.
Following a concluding conversation between Ceferin and Israel Football Association chairman Moshe Zuares last Thursday, the Israeli Defence Forces classified the demolition as "non-urgent", effectively suspending the order.
Middle East security sources confirmed on Tuesday that the IDF would suspend the demolition.
Sources close to the negotiations described Ceferin's direct involvement as "highly significant" in persuading Israeli authorities to reverse their position
|GETTY
Munther Amira, a board director at the Aida Youth Centre, had urged FIFA to intervene.
Earlier this month they wrote: "This is a clear and callous attempt to deprive Palestinians, including hundreds of boys and girls, of a facility that is of critical importance to their physical and mental welfare."
She added: "This pitch is in constant use. It is a rare place of hope and joy for children who endure severe hardship."
UEFA issued a statement thanking Israel Football Federation president Moshe Zuares "for his efforts to help protect the site from demolition", expressing hope that "the pitch can continue to serve the local community as a safe space for children and youth."