Controversy as head of Palestinian football who questioned Israel’s participation in the FIFA World Cup has been BANNED from entering Australia

The head of Palestinian football who questioned Israel’s participation in the FIFA World Cup has been banned from entering Australia ahead of his nation’s qualifier against the Socceroos in Perth tonight.

Jibril Rajoub declared the decision to not grant him a visa was politically motivated.

‘I think this is a political decision, this is a shame for those who took such a decision…I should attend the game, I should be with our team,’ Rajoub fumed.

Rajoub – who stated he has previously been to Australia in 2008 and 2015 – feels his visa denial third was a ‘stupid and silly decision.’

‘There’s someone, somewhere in the government of Australia who are behaving under the pressure or influence of the Israeli stupid and crazy government,’ he said.

Jibril Rajoub has declared the decision to not grant him a visa was politically motivated, having previously been to Australia twice

The Socceroos have been in ominous form during World Cup qualifying, scoring 17 goals in five matches (Daniel Arzani and Adam Taggart are pictured)

‘It’s not fair to deny me the right to be with our national team.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed Rajoub’s claim, stating on Monday the decision was made ‘at arm’s length’ by the Immigration Department. 

Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni felt it was a ‘real concern’ Rajoub was denied a visa.

‘Palestinians, Australian Palestinians and their supporters were looking for a moment to escape the genocide that we’ve been seeing, to celebrate sport, to celebrate humanity, to see how the world game is played here in Australia and frankly it’s another kick in the guts,’ Mashni said.

‘A big chunk of our community has flown to Perth, are flying here from Melbourne and we’re all coming out and for a moment, maybe a couple of hours, enjoy a respite from the genocide.

‘We will come together and celebrate our adopted country Australia but also our home country and place of ancestry Palestine.’

The development comes as Football Australia confirmed they were aware of Rajoub’s situation, but stressed it was a government issue to address.

Kick-off between the Socceroos and Palestine in their World Cup qualification match is at 10:05pm AEST, live on Channel 10. 

It is estimated more than 35,000 people have been killed since Israel declared war on Hamas in Gaza last October.