BRITAIN BANS GAZA FOOTBALL TEAM

A Palestinian football team has been banned from playing in Britain, because officials apparently believe they will not return to Gaza. The Gaza under-19s team had been invited to play British football clubs Chester City and Blackburn Rovers. The team’s visa applications were rejected by the British consulate in Jerusalem. The players understand the visas were blocked because of the risk they would not return home to Gaza. The players had expected to be welcomed in Britain, and were depressed about the decision. Arranging football matches in Gaza is hard enough, says our correspondent. Tour organiser Rod Cox, from Chester, said the ruling was unfair, as the players had overcome difficult circumstances to qualify for their national team. “Here’s a bunch of kids who’ve worked their entire life to be selected to be the 22 best players and to play for their national team,” he said. These aspirants had to face many odds including the position that there are few proper football pitches left in their homeland. Israeli forces bombed Gaza’s main stadium last year.