JERUSALEM: A new wave of criticism is directed at the Palestinian Football Association after the latter decided to suspend Shehab Qunbor, Jabel Mukaber’s player.
Qunbor was supposed to join the Palestinian national team for their Saudi Arabia journey but caught the coronavirus right before the trip. According to reports, the player, who refused to endangered his teammates, reported it to the FA before staying in Jerusalem and not joining the delegation. Palestine lost to Saudi Arabia 0-5, but the FA decided to suspend Qunbor from the West Bank Premier League season.
This decision has incited a massive protest in social media and the Palestinian football street. Thousands are using the #ارحل_يا_رجوب and the #مع_شهاب hashtags. The player’s club has even taken it one step further and withdrew from their last league match against Thagafi Tulkarem on Sunday. The match was a crucial relegation battle clash for the Tulkarem, fighting for survival in the league against Ahli Al-Khaleel. While the latter has won their match against the already relegated Taraji Wad Al-Nes, 5:1, the Annabi from Tulkarem enjoyed an automatic 0:3 victory due to Mukaber’s withdrawal.
A further reaction from the FA to Mukaber’s act is yet to come.
On the verge of a chaos
Palestinian football is a wreck now, and it’s on the verge of a true crisis. The national team’s loss has exposed the fragile infrastructure and management of a scenario ruled by man. One of the biggest and most important clubs in the league is refusing to play a match and abandon the field. This is by far the worst situation the Palestinian football has been under Jibril Rajoub. The story will probably develop further, as Rajoub runs in the Fatah elections as a legislative, which will see him leaving the post as the Palestinian FA president.
Rajoub has done a lot to develop Palestinian football in the past 13 years, yet it is time for new blood, a profound investment in grassroots and youth and deep and massive reform in the leagues. More to come soon in this term.
That's it. Nothing else to report. @JibrilRajoub remains the FA President while running for Fateh in the Legislative Elections
— Football Palestine (@FutbolPalestine) April 4, 2021
Ould Ali is firmly stuck in his post as NT manager.
As it stands, this team will need to play a playoff just to participate in Asian Cup QUALIFIERS
Other results from the 20th Matchday in the West Bank Premier League:
Tubas-Dhahariah 1:0
Markez Balata-Al-Am’ari 2:1
Al-Samu-Al-Bireh 0:6
Hilal Al-Quds-Shabab Al-Khaleel 2:1
