By IANS,
New Delhi : Palestine’s decision to send the Jerusalem Elite team for the Nehru Cup football tournament has put the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in a fix after it had rejected Thailand’s entry of its under-19 team as only national teams are permitted to play.
With the draw of the tournament already made public, the AIFF is now again facing a similar situation as they have to decide whether they would allow a city team, Jerusalem Elite team, to take part in the six-nation tournament. Palestine was a last minute replacement for Thailand for the tournament starting Aug 19.
Palestine Football Association (PFA) general-secretary Sami Makkawi told IANS over phone from Ramallah that the Jerusalem Elite team is their second string national team.
“Our main team is not prepared to take part in the tournament. So we are sending the Jersualem Elite team to represent Palestine in the meet,” Makkawi said.
AIFF general-secretary Alberto Colaco said that the organising committee will take a decision soon whether they would allow Jersulam Elite team to represent Palestine.
“The PFA has informed us that they would be sending a city team for the tournament. We will decide soon whether we would allow them or change the tournament to a five-nation meet,” he said.