Malaysia loses FIFA event over Israel visas

[Mosby]

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has relinquished the rights to host the 2017 FIFA Congress, a sports official said Monday after the predominantly Muslim country refused to issue visas to Israeli delegates.

"We were advised by the government to withdraw from hosting the congress due to security issues," Affandi Hamzah, deputy president of the Football Association of Malaysia, told AFP.

Affandi declined to elaborate on the "security issues" but said the move was tied to comments by Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi over the weekend.

Zahid had said Malaysia was unable to provide visas to Israeli officials because it did not have diplomatic ties and could rile up local sensitivities.

"Some of the conditions of hosting the event include placing the (Israeli) flag on the table during the congress," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times online.

"After comparing the benefits and the risks, it is better for Malaysia to avoid playing host."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/1062300/malaysia-loses-fifa-event-over-israel-visas

[GeorgeGist]

1. Good enough for TPP though.

[King_David]

2. Good Riddance

[6chars]

3. they think the Jew is absolutely untouchable

it is odd. it feels bad when it happens.

[geek tragedy]

4. one of the supposedly moderate governments

in the Muslim world.