Australian FA: Palestine association chief’s entry a government matter

PERTH, Australia — Football Australia has said it is aware of Palestine Football president Jibril Rajoub being denied permission to enter the country to attend a World Cup Asian qualification match but said that border controls are a matter for the Australian federal government.

Members of the Palestinian squad flew into Perth on Saturday morning in preparation for their World Cup qualifier against Australia at HBF Park next Tuesday.

But a report from local outlet 7NEWS said that Rajoub was not among the travelling party, with the Australian Department of Home Affairs denying him entry to the country based upon what was reported as being a “technicality in his application,” rather than him being denied on character grounds.

In its role as the host association, Football Australia has…