FIFA's Gaza support 'in keeping' with international federation - IOC / Photo: SAUL LOEB - AFP
-
Sinner eases into Monte Carlo semi-final against Zverev
-
Inter skipper Martinez suffers calf injury
-
Ukrainians sceptical as Kremlin orders Easter truce
-
Arteta urges Arsenal to pile pressure on Man City in title race
-
Pay fears grow for US security workers in shutdown
-
Hungary rivals rally crowds in closing strait of election campaign
-
Swede goes on trial for pressuring wife to sell sex
-
US inflation surges 3.3% as Iran war impact bites
-
Vance warns Iran not to 'play' US at talks in Pakistan
-
Fernandez remains out despite apology: Chelsea boss Rosenior
-
Dortmund defender Schlotterbeck extends contract until 2031
-
De Zerbi vows to save troubled Spurs from relegation
-
Antwerp port reopens to North Sea shipping after oil spill
-
Stocks mixed, oil steadies on guarded optimism for Iran ceasefire
-
Sinner eases into Monte Carlo semi-finals
-
France's Macron talks war, peace and basketball with Pope Leo
-
Fernandez apologised over comments about his future: Chelsea's Rosenior
-
Coach Spalletti signs new Juve deal until 2028
-
AI chatbots offer children harm as if it were help, says activist
-
'Grumpy' Guardiola wants Silva to stay at Man City for life
-
Zverev beats Fonseca to reach Monte Carlo semi-finals
-
Scheffler, Rose to chase McIlroy with early Masters starts
-
Celine Dion's Paris concerts promise to spin the money on and on
-
Stocks climb, oil steadies on guarded optimism over Iran war ceasefire
-
Irish govt to meet farmers, hauliers over fuel cost fears
-
Injured Bayern starlet Karl to miss Real return leg
-
US-Iran talks in Pakistan uncertain as sides trade accusations
-
Oil spill snarls shipping traffic in Antwerp port
-
Giving birth in a shelter in Israel
-
Five things to know about the planned Iran-US talks in Islamabad
-
Slot feels 'complete support' from Liverpool chiefs despite slump
-
Kyiv books tentative diplomatic coup with Iran war forays
-
Teenager shines as Britain seize control of BJK Cup tie with Australia
-
Chinese, Taiwanese will unite, Xi tells Taiwan opposition leader
-
Sleepy seal diverts traffic in Australian seaside town
-
Artemis astronauts to shed light on space health risks
-
Pakistan prepares to host US-Iran talks, as Lebanon fighting continues
-
Vaccine gaps fuel Bangladesh's deadly measles crisis
-
Fish furore fuels fierce election in India's West Bengal
-
Coachella kicks off with headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Bieber and Karol G
-
Myanmar junta chief sworn in as president
-
Exiled cartoonists give voice to Iran's silenced millions
-
In Pakistan's mediation to end Mideast war, China may hold the key
-
Knicks stay in hunt with late win over rival Celtics
-
'Sartorial diplomacy' on show in expo of late UK queen's fashion
-
Former Japan and AC Milan star Honda laces up boots again at 39
-
Stocks rally on optimism over Iran war ceasefire, oil extends gains
-
Lego-style memes troll Trump after fragile US-Iran truce
-
Chinese slimmers trade lost fat for beef
-
Jackson biopic shows franchise thriving despite abuse claims
FIFA's Gaza support 'in keeping' with international federation - IOC
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Saturday that FIFA's support of an investment programme in Gaza was "in keeping with the role" of an international federation.
IOC president Kirsty Coventry said on Friday she was unaware that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had attended the first meeting of the Board of Peace alongside US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday.
World football chief Infantino, who is also an IOC member, used the meeting to announce that his organisation would spearhead a $75 million fund to rebuild football facilities destroyed in Gaza during the war between Israel and Hamas.
He appeared on stage wearing a red cap with "USA" on the front and the numbers 45-47, referring to the two non-consecutive presidencies of Trump.
"The IOC has been in contact with FIFA," an IOC spokesperson told AFP.
"We understand that FIFA is supporting, through football, a comprehensive sport recovery investment programme in Gaza, Palestine, by providing sporting infrastructure, education and elite development proposals.
"This is entirely in keeping with the role of an International Sport Federation. The IOC, through Olympic Solidarity, which is our development vehicle, has been and continues to support sport development in the region."
Infantino has appeared several times with Trump, with the United States co-hosting this year's World Cup along with Mexico and Canada.
FIFA awarded Trump its inaugural peace prize in December, with Infantino saying at the time it was in recognition of the US president's "exceptional and extraordinary" actions to promote peace and unity around the world.
L.Harper--AMWN