Syrian Footballer Apologizes to Palestinians for Playing in Controversial Game
On Saturday’s FIFA Arab Cup 2021 final, Khatib took part in a friendly match between the FIFA Arab Legends and the FIFA World Legends, made up of two teams of retired players.
The FIFA World Legends team was coached by an Israeli.
Khatib’s team, the Arab Legends, beat the World Legends on penalties after the game ended with a 5-5 draw.
On Monday, the Syrian Olympic Committee announced that it was suspending al-Khatib from the body.
The 38-year-old has been barred from the committee and the Syrian General Sports Federation.
The Syrian footballer in a post on his Facebook page said he was surprised by the decision, RT Arabic reported.
He said before attending the game, he had no idea that an Israeli was part of the opposing team.
Al-Khatib noted that his name had not been in the list of the Arab Legends players and he was invited to play on the day the match was held.
He nonetheless apologized to the Palestinian people and all supporters of the cause of Palestine all over the world.
The football star also underlined his unchanging stance in support of Palestine.
Three Algerian football players boycotted Saturday’s match in Qatar, refusing to play in a team coached by an Israeli in order to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people.
