Saudi football team criticised for occupied West Bank match

Saudi Arabia’s national football team has faced off with Palestine in the occupied West Bank, a break in the norm for Arab sport teams.

Historically, Arab countries have played against Palestine in a third country, in order to avoid applying for Israeli permits to enter the country.

Tuesday’s unprecedented game, a double qualifying match for the World Cup 2022 and Asia Cup 2023 tournaments, ended in a 0-0 draw at Faisal al-Husseini Stadium in the town of al-Ram, north of occupied East Jerusalem.

Saudi football authority said it had agreed to play in the West Bank for the first time at the request of the Palestinian Authority (PA).