RAMALLAH/ZURICH: The Palestinian Authority has reportedly cancelled a scheduled meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the latest example of the delicacy of balancing political sentivities in the Middle East.

Media reports in Israel have claimed the reason for the cancellation was Infantino’s acceptance of an invitation to attend the launch in Jerusalem of a think tank by former United States ambassador David Friedman.

This is to be staged at the new Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem, which was built over a Muslim cemetery.

In Ramallah Infantino had been due to meet Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian national Olympic committee and local football federation.

Rajoub, also a senior Fatah official, created a stir at FIFA Congresses with his vain demands for Israel to be expelled from world football’s governing body.

Infantino’s presidential predecessor, Sepp Blatter, made various attempts to ease tensions between Israeli and Palestinian sports and security authorities with only limited success.

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