BY IANS,
New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) Monday rejected Palestine’s entry in the Nehru Cup Football Tournament, which will now be a five-nation affair.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) wanted to send a city team, Jerusalem Elite, but the AIFF refused it entry, saying that only national teams can take part in this tournament.
It was a big embarrassment for the AIFF as it had released a draw of the tournaments with Palestine figuring in it.
The fresh draw for the tournament will be held here Tuesday.
Palestine was a last-minute replacement for Thailand for the tournament starting Aug 19.
PFA general secretary Sami Makkawi had earlier 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.