August 6th, 2023: This Week in Palestinian Football

In the aftermath of Morocco's success at the Women's World Cup we ask what it would take for the PFA to take women's football seriously.

This week saw Heba Saadieh become the first Palestinian referee to officiate at a World Cup. In its 25 years of existence the Palestinian Football Association never produced an official- man or woman- capable of refereeing at a World Cup of any kind.

In fact, although the PFA is claiming to be a part of Saadieh’s success they had very little to do with it. The only thing that separates Saadeih from Dr. Riem Hussien- a Palestinian born in Germany who officiated at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and was in charge of the 2021 Women’s UEFA Champions League final- is that she decided to be affiliated with the PFA while Hussien was affiliated with the German Football Association.

Saadieh, like Hussien, was born outside of Palestine- in Syria’s Yarouk Refugee Camp. The 34 year old began to officiate, as oppose to play in games, while still living in Syria.

The outbreak of war forced Saadieh to leave Syria- first to Malaysia in 2012 and then to Sweden in 2016. She refereed matches in both leagues gaining experience and following all guidance given to her by the FIFA board. When she first moved to Sweden, Saadieh could not speak a word of Swedish. She now speaks the language fluently and has officiated at the Asian Cup as well as World Cup and Olympic qualifiers in addtition to the Swedish league.

These accomplishments as well as her appearing as a lineswoman in England’s 3-1 win over China PR are something that should make Palestinians around the world swell with pride.

The organizations that had the least to do with her progress seem eager to claim credit. Notably the PFA which has done nothing for the women’s game and the AFC who have played only a small role in the referee’s progress.

In the aftermath of the huge tractiton Heba’s story garnered online, the Asian Football Confederatiton put out a press release accompanied with this video:

The PFA followed suit with a Facebook post and more material in an attempt to sieze the limelight. The reality of the situation is that Saadieh’s progress in internatitonal refereeing is not disimilar to that of Hussein’s (who the media has classified as more German than currywurst). Both women owe most of their progress to two progressive European Football Associations that invest millions of dollars into women’s football.

Women’s NT: 19 years of stagnation

Palesitne have had a women’s team since 2004 but the PFA has done little to foster the game. There was a certain contentment of just having a team. After all, for years Saudi Arabia did not even have a team. When Palestine played Kuwait at the 2010 WAFF Championship the Fida’iyat romped to a 17-0 win. In the 2012 edition they beat Iraq 3-0. In 2014, they managed two wins a pair of 4-0 wins against Bahrain and Qatar.

If you think this is a sign of progress- you would be wrong. In the team’s final game they got shellacked 10-0 by neighbors Jordan. That was followed up by failure to win a game in the subsequent two editions and finishing dead last.

Earlier this year, the team played Saudi Arabia in a pair of friendlies. The Saudi women have only been around since 2022. Palestine have 18 years of experience on them. The two friendlies ended 0-0 and 1-1. It won’t be long before the Saudis start registering massive wins over Palestine as well.

The team is going nowhere fast. Women’s football is going from strength to strength. Something has to be done to actually harness the ability of Palestine’s female footballers.

Morocco: A Model to Emulate