FIFA to investigate alleged discrimination by Israel raised by Palestine Football Association
Zurich: FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) announced on Thursday that its disciplinary committee will review the allegations of discrimination that have been raised by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) against Israel Football Association (IFA).
The PFA wanted FIFA to adopt “appropriate sanctions” against Israel’s national side and club teams, including an international ban.
"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be mandated to initiate an investigation into the alleged offence of discrimination raised by the Palestine Football Association," FIFA said in a statement.
The world soccer's governing body added that the participation in Israeli football competitions of Israeli teams allegedly based in Palestinian territories will also be subject to an investigation.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the council had implemented “due diligence on the very sensitive matter” and followed the advice of independent experts. “The ongoing violence in the region confirms that, above all considerations, and as stated at the 74th FIFA Congress, we need peace. As we remain extremely shocked by what is happening, and our thoughts are with those who are suffering, we urge all parties to restore peace to the region with immediate effect,” he added.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli attacks across Gaza since last October have resulted in over 41,700 deaths and has wounded over 96,000 people. The war has also heavily impacted football, the most popular sport in Palestine. As of August, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) reported, as cited by Al Jazeera, that at least 410 athletes, sports officials, or coaches had been killed in the war, including 297 footballers—84 of whom were children.
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Prices of cigarettes, beedis, pan masala to rise from Feb 1 with new tax, cess
New Delhi: Cigarettes, beedis, pan masala and other tobacco products will become costlier from February 1 after the Centre notified additional excise duty on tobacco products and a new Health and National Security Cess on pan masala, NDTV reported.
According to a notification issued by the government on Wednesday, the new levies will be imposed over and above the existing Goods and Services Tax (GST) and will replace the compensation cess currently charged on these products.
From February 1, pan masala, cigarettes, tobacco and similar products will attract a GST rate of 40 per cent, while biris will attract 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST), according to a government notification.
On top of this, a Health and National Security Cess will be levied on pan masala, while tobacco and related products will attract additional excise duty.
The Finance Ministry also notified the Chewing Tobacco, Jarda Scented Tobacco and Gutkha Packing Machines (Capacity Determination and Collection of Duty) Rules, 2026, which will govern the assessment and collection of excise duty on these products.
Parliament had in December approved two Bills allowing levy of the new Health and National Security Cess on pan masala manufacturing and excise duty on tobacco.
The notification issued on Wednesday formally set February 1 as the implementation date. With the rollout of the new tax structure, the existing GST compensation cess on tobacco and pan masala, which is currently levied at varying rates, will cease to exist effective February 1.
