Did Palestine really need to pull out of its March friendlies?
A press release put out by the PFA was short on details leaving many asking questions.
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) announced they would be cancelling friendlies against Mauritania and Benin yesterday. The communique was put out mere hours after Football Palestine broke the story but left many asking if the decision was really necessary.
The statement reads:
“Palestine Apologizes for Missing Friendlies Against Mauritania and Benin in Morocco Jerusalem - Palestinian Football Association Media Office: The Palestinian Football Association announces the inability of the first national team to participate in the friendly gathering hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco, during which the Steadfast were scheduled to play two friendly matches against the national teams of Mauritania and Benin, in the international break for the current month of March.
The Association confirms that the current circumstances in the region and the challenges related to travel and airport closures have prevented the completion of arrangements for the team's delegation to participate in the required manner, emphasizing its commitment to the safety of the players and members of the technical and administrative staff.
The Association renews its commitment to continue working to support the national team and provide the best possible conditions for its preparation for the upcoming official qualifications, in a way that meets the aspirations of the Palestinian fans.”
While it is true that several players would have been left stranded in the Gulf and unable to make the journey it is by no means a critical mass.
Kuwait based Zaid Qunbar and a sizable QSL contingent of Rami Hamadi, Tamer Seyam, Musab Al-Battat, Musa Farawi, Alaa Aldeen Hassan, and Mohammed Balah would have no way of making the trip. Only 3-4 players in that group are starters and a few might not have even been called up
Ataa Jaber, Mohammed Saleh, and Amid Mahajna are injured. While defenders Michel Termanini and Yaser Hamed could have traveled without a visa to Saudi Arabia and continued their onward journey from there.
The border crossings between Jordan and Palestine remain open meaning that the small contingent of players and the coaching staff could get to Amman’s International Airport.
Even Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport remains functional although players could be forgiven for not wanting to leave their families alone in an active war zone.
Palestine could have easily put together a 25 or 26 man squad by drawing on its sizable player pool in Egypt, Europe, and the Americas. The travel costs would have been higher but the PFA has money- courtesy of the prize kitty from World Cup qualification and the FIFA Arab Cup.
Here is what a potential squad could have looked like:
You could even call up more players such as Jordan based duo Mohammed Sandouqa and Anas Bani Owda. That would bring the total to 29 players!
Yes, this squad is short on experience in goal and in defence. Yes, none of the captains are included but you don’t need your best squad in every single friendly. Sometimes you need to test out new players and this would have been the perfect opportunity to find out what some of the fringe players can do.
The Palestine Football Association owes its stakeholders a better explanation as to why it cancelled these friendlies. It also must turn its attention to the summer and ensure that the May/June window does not go to waste as well.