Wiesenthal Center Rejects FIFA Letter As “Double Standard”

May 5, 2006

WIESENTHAL CENTER REJECTS FIFA LETTER AS “DOUBLE STANDARD”

In wake of the controversy surrounding the possibility of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to this summer’s World Cup match in Germany, the Simon Wiesenthal Center has reiterated its call that FIFA take a clear stand to bar Ahmedinejad, saying that the organization’s policy to not engage in political affairs is inaccurate.

In a letter today to the Center, FIFA Legal Director Heinz Tännler stressed that the organization “is a non-political Association under Swiss Law with the objective to promote the game of football constantly and globally.”

Rabbis Marvin Hier and Abraham Cooper, Founder and Dean and Associate dean of the Wiesenthal Center (respectively) replied to this letter, citing  a public statement made last month by FIFA Deputy Secretary General Jerome Champagne condemning Israel for attacking an empty soccer field used as a training ground by Palestinian terrorist groups, saying that it was “absolutely counter productive for peace…”

“Clearly, the above quote puts FIFA on record as making a political statement,” said Hier and Cooper.  “It is morally repugnant and certainly a double standard when FIFA can condemn Israel, but is silent and unwilling to say to Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that he is not welcome to attend the World Cup in Germany because he has called for the obliteration of the State of Israel and referred to the Holocaust as a myth.”

In today’s letter from FIFA, Tännler had also stated that the matter of a visit by Ahmadinejad belonged “solely to the responsibility of the German Government.” 

But a high ranking German diplomat told the Center that the Iranian President had not received an invitation from Germany and that there could be no visit without the direct involvement of FIFA, because it was their event.

The Wiesenthal Center urged Blatter to bear the full responsibility. “This is a moment of truth for FIFA and your silence will speak volumes,” concluded Rabbi Hier and Rabbi Cooper.

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The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS and the Council of Europe.

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