Palestine prepare on the eve of their 2019 Asian Cup Group D qualifier against Bhutan in Dura, Palestine on Monday (9th October).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Palestine will go a long way to clinching their place in the 2019 Asian Cup if they beat Bhutan on Monday in Group D.

At the halfway point of qualifying, Palestine have won all three games - including an impressive 2-1 victory over Oman.

Both teams play on Monday.

If second-placed Oman beat the Maldives, which is likely after their 5-0 win over the same country last month, and Palestine also get three points, the Palestinians will have a nine-point lead over third-placed Maldives with three games to go.

The top two teams from each group go through to the 2019 Asian Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates.

Bhutan are bottom of the group with zero points - they conceded 14 goals to Oman.

The Palestinians have been slowly rising up the FIFA world rankings since 2015 and that victory over Oman in September saw them jump from 116 to 94, overtaking the Omanis in the process.

Palestine made their first appearance in the Asian Cup finals in 2015 - but finished bottom of their group with zero points.

Al Bireh International Stadium, Dura, Palestine. 8th October 2017.

1. 00:00 Various Palestine training.

2. 00:50 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdelnasir Barakat, Palestine coach:

"Playing in our own country and in front of our own fans is an important factor. We hope there will be a large number of fans as there were in Bhutan, the Bhutanese were loud. Therefore, we hope the Palestinian fans will come en masse. I mean the first time we qualified for the Asian Cup we qualified through the Challenge Cup, but this time, could be the first time through direct qualification. The goal before we started was to get the 10 points in group one, and thankfully we got these points, which are essential for us to improve our International and Olympic points."

3. 01:22 Various Palestine training.

SOURCE: SNTV.

DURATION: 01:47.

Reaction after Palestine thrashed Bhutan 10-0 in their Group D 2019 AFC Cup qualifier at the Dora International Stadium in Hebron, Palestine, on Tuesday (10th October).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Palestine qualified for the AFC Asian Cup after demolishing Bhutan 10-0 at the Dora International Stadium in Hebron on Tuesday.

The host team were in total control of the match after scoring six goals in the first half.

Palestine and Oman had assured a top-two finish in Group D with two games to spare.

In the other game of Group D, Oman defeated Maldives 3-1.

The 2019 AFC Asian Cup starts on 5th of January.

Dora International Stadium, Hebron, Palestine - 10th October 2017

1. 00:00 Fireworks

2. 00:06 Various of fans celebrating the victory

3. 00:15 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdel Nasser Barakat, Palestine coach:

"The team played very well. They wanted to achieve a great result to bring happiness to Palestinians. The game was played at home in front of our fans. We also wanted to restore our confidence, and show a good performance to reflect our progress in the past two and a half years. At the end, we would like to thank all Palestinian people and media for the their support."

4. 00:38 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdelatif Bahdari, Palestine defender:

"The team played with responsibility today. We scored ten goals! I would like to thank the Palestinian fans for supporting us. Our victory is dedicated to the Palestinian people, and we hope we will achieve more success in the Asian Nations Cup at the UAE (United Arab Emirates)."

5. 00:53 Various of fans celebrating outside the stadium

6. 01:06 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Mohammad Darwish, Palestine striker:

"We won 10-0. The team played very well. Our team is always progressing. We have been training very hard."

7. 01:18 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Mohammad Abu Khamis, Palestine:

"We played the Bhutan with respect even, though their recent scores were very bad. We played well and we had a big victory. We qualified for the Asian Cup of Nations 2019. This was the dream for every Palestinian".

8. 01:36 Various of fans celebrating

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 01:55

Palestine prepared on Monday (12th June) for their AFC Asian Cup Group D qualifier with Oman, which takes place on Tuesday (13th June).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Palestine host Oman on Tuesday (13th June) in Group D of the third round of the qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup.

Palestine won 3-0 away against the Maldives on matchday one, with two goals from Ahmad Maher Wridat and one by Ahmad Abu Nahyeh.

Oman were impressive 14-0 winners over Bhutan in Muscat in their first Group D game - the Gulf state's biggest ever win.

It appears to be a two-horse race between these two sides who will finish top of Group D.

Oman will be favourites to reach the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals having reached the tournament three of the last four times.

Oman also have the experienced Pim Verbeek in charge, he steered South Korea to a third-placed finish at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and managed Australia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Palestine qualified for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia by winning the AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives in 2014.

Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium, Al Ram, West Bank, Jerusalem - 12th June 2017.

1. 00:00 Players arrive for training

2. 00:15 Palestine players in huddle

3. 00:19 Palestine squad start training

4. 00:22 Mid shot of Abdel Nasser Barakat

5. 00:28 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdel Nasser Barakat, Palestine technical director

"This is a very important match for our team and we hope the players will be able to achieve what is required from them. Winning this match will put us on top of the group. It is also an important match because it is held on Palestinian soil, in front of our supporters and in our stadium. We always ask our players to do what they can to bring joy to our supporters when we play at home. We hope to please our supporters by winning the match, although we are aware of the difficulty of playing against this strong Omani team."

6. 00:58 Various of Palestine training

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 02:02

Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestine Football Association, said on Monday (25th May) that he was pressing on with his bid to oust Israel from FIFA, despite efforts from its president to diffuse the crisis.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The head of the Palestine Football Association said on Monday he was pressing on with his bid to oust Israel from FIFA despite efforts from its president to diffuse the crisis.

Jibril Rajoub said he "will not withdraw the motion and will not accept any compromise and any side deals."

FIFA President Sepp Blatter was recently in the region on a self-described "mission of peace" to resolve tensions between the two sides.

Palestinians say Israeli security restrictions are limiting the movement of Palestinian players, visiting teams and equipment.

They have put forward a proposal to suspend Israel from world football at the 209-nation FIFA meeting on 29th May.

Blatter opposes the suspension vote, saying Israel has not broken FIFA statutes in a political issue outside of football's control.

Al-Ram, West Bank. 25th May, 2015.

1. 00:00 Wide of Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestine Football Association arriving.

2. 00:08 Various of news conference.

3. 00:17 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestine Football Association:

"This time we presented a motion to suspend Israel's membership of FIFA, if it doesn't commit to solve those three problems; the movement (the limitation of movement), the manifestations of racism and fascism that they have and the third thing, the presence of five clubs in the occupied Palestinian territories."

4. 00:46 Cutaway.

5. 00:51 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestine Football Association:

"This is our position and this is our motion, and we will not withdraw the motion, and will not accept any compromise and any side deals."

6. 01:04 Wide of news conference

7. 01:09 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestine Football Association:

"The Israeli federation is a partner of the Israeli government in these crimes, by their constant defence and justification of the Israeli violations. And they did not even condemn some of the violations that there is no argument about it, that it is not related to the sports, and it is only related to an official terrorism practiced by Israel."

8. 01:47 Cutaway.

9. 01:52 Sign.

10. 01:57 Various exteriors of building.

SOURCE: SNTV.

DURATION: 02:07.

RESTRICTIONS: SNTV clients only. Use within 14 days. If interested in archive use after 14 days please contact www.aparchive.com. Internet use only for SNTV clients with digital rights licensed in their contract. For any questions regarding rights restrictions please contact planning@sntv.com.

SHOTLIST: Gaza - 1st July, 2016

Gaza Strip, Beith Lahya - 1st July 2016

1. 00.00 Wide shot of Palestinian Football Association building which was destroyed in 2014 Israel-Gaza war

2. 00.06 Close of the building

3. 00.10 Tokyo Sexwale, chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine arriving at Palestinian Football Association building

4. 00.17 Various of Tokyo Sexwale inspecting Palestinian FA building

5. 01.47 Wide shot of Sexwale presser

6. 01.52 SOUNDBITE: (English) Tokyo Sexwale, chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine

"I also know how football could assist in facilitating the small way progress. And we hope at the end of the mission of this committee there will be some progress."

7. 02.19 Wide of presser

8. 02.23 SOUNDBITE: (English) Tokyo Sexwale, chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine

"What we see here is pain, pain. It's pain which people should not go through."

9. 02.32 M/s journalists during the presser

10. 02.36 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ibrahim Abu Saleem, deputy chairman of the Palestinian Football Association

"We raise the red card before the Israeli actions against the Palestinian sport in general and its siege on Palestinian sport."

11. 02.45 Close of journalists

12. 02.50 SOUNDBITE: (English) Tokyo Sexwale, chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine

"We are for football, but we know that also there is a security situation here, there is a military situation, there is a low intensity war, especially in Gaza, there is conflict and some of the problems cannot be solved by the Israeli Football Association or the Palestinian Football Association. Most of the problems are also very political."

13. 03.29 Various of Sexwale leaving the Palestinian Football Association building

Gaza Strip, Gaza City - 1st July, 2016

14. 03.59 Sexwale arriving at meeting with Palestinians factions

15. 04.06 Various of meeting

16. 04.24 Sexwale leaving the meeting

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 04:44

STORYLINE:

The chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine, South African Tokyo Sexwale, visited Gaza on Friday (1st July).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine, South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale, visited Gaza on Friday on a the second day of a two-day visit to Israel and Palestine.

Sexwale visited the Gaza headquarters of the Palestinian Football Association, which was damaged during the 2014 war between Israel and the militant Hamas group, and met representatives of Palestinian factions.

The FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine was established in 2015 to ease Israeli restrictions on Palestinian teams and players after the Palestinians withdrew a bid to suspend the Israeli Football Association.

Ibraheem Abu Saleem, deputy chairman of the Palestinian Football Association, was presented with a red card from Sexwale's Global Watch foundation, which fights racism in sport.

On receiving the card, Abu Saleem held the card in front of media and said "we raise the red card before the Israeli actions against Palestinian sport in general and its siege on Palestinian sport."

Sexwale has said his trip to Israel and Palestine paves the way for an upcoming visit by FIFA President Gianni Infantino but he did not say when that visit would take place.

STORYLINE:

The Palestine Football Association on Saturday (25th August) lashed out at FIFA for banning the association's president, Jibril Rajoub, from games for a year for inciting hatred and violence toward Argentine icon Lionel Messi.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The head of Palestinian soccer said on Saturday he will appeal FIFA's year-long ban on him for inciting against Argentine superstar Lionel Messi as part of his campaign to stop Argentina's national team from playing in Israel.

Jibril Rajoub told The Associated Press he was consulting with his lawyers and will "use every possible opportunity" to fight the decision. He spoke by phone from China and said he planned a press conference upon his return to Ramallah later this week.

Rajoub's Palestine Football Association has lashed out at the decision by international soccer's ruling body as "absurd and lacking in evidence."

FIFA said Jibril Rajoub "incited hatred and violence" by calling on soccer fans "to target the Argentinian Football Association and burn jerseys and pictures of Lionel Messi."

Argentina eventually abandoned the trip to Jerusalem for a game against Israel in June.

Argentina Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie said at the time players felt "totally attacked, violated" after images emerged of the team's white and sky-blue striped jerseys stained with red paint resembling blood.

FIFA imposed the minimum ban allowed in its disciplinary code for inciting hatred or violence.

It prevents Rajoub from attending matches or engaging with the media at or near stadiums on match days for a year.

Rajoub, who is also head of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, was fined 20,000 Swiss francs ($20,300 USD).

The punishment marks an embarrassing blow for Rajoub, who has long lobbied FIFA to sanction Israel for what he called its restriction of movement of Palestinian players.

Israel has rejected the Palestinian campaign as an attempt to politicize sports and has cited security concerns as the reason behind the occasional restrictions placed on Palestinian players, particularly in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Rajoub's organisation accused FIFA of bowing to pressure of "interest groups" and Jewish West Bank settlers who sought to punish Rajoub for his comments.

Ramallah, West Bank. 25th August, 2018

1. 00:00 Various, Ramallah street shots

2. 00:25 SOUNDBITE (English): Mohammed Ajabi, Ramallah resident:

"It's wrong, definitely wrong and I think there were unfair dealing with him in such ways, yes. If he has something to say, something that goes against his country, like stopping the Argentinian team from coming to play against the Israelis, it's his right to say so and it's his right to stand and protest, if that's his way of protesting, that's his way. He didn't do it violently, there was no violence, it was all peaceful, there were words, there was no physical thing where he was violent or he burned, or he would fight any Israelis, he just spoke what was on his mind and the Argentinian team listened, they didn't come and they didn't play so why should he be punished for doing something that he thinks is right, it's his freedom, it's his will, when it comes to freedom of speech you know everyone should be able to say what he wants, nothing more."

3. 01:17 More street shots

4. 01:37 Exterior of Palestine Football Association

5. 01:42 Sign on building reading Palestine Football Association

6. 01:47 Establishing shot of Susan Shalabi in office

7. 01:52 SOUNDBITE (English): Susan Shalabi, AFC Executive Committee member:

"We think it's absurd and in-proportionate because you know giving the maximum punishment over an infringement that was only based on media reports by a party that was not neutral, we think this was biased. But than in the end we will respect, as always, we respect the FIFA statutes, we respect the FIFA institutions but we also retain our rights to follow this issue in all the legal venues that are available to us."

8. 02:24 Various of Susan Shalabi working

9. 02:39 SOUNDBITE (English): Susan Shalabi, AFC Executive Committee member:

"Certainly there are political dimensions to this decision. First it was launched by the Israeli football association who everybody knows is in dispute before FIFA with the Palestine Football association and also a settler group was also involved, which is the Palestine media watch which everybody knows is a settler group which is biased in its reports and the evidence that was used by the disciplinary committee to evaluate the situation was only the evidence presented by these two, who had interest in the conviction of General Rajoub."

10. 03:17 Susan Shalabi sitting at her desk

11. 03:22 Sign reading Palestine Football Association

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03:27

SNTV talk to Italian football coaches Stefano Cusin and Gian Luca Sorini as they volunteer to coach a local Palestinian team in city of Hebron in the West Bank

Stefano Cusin didn't have a glittering footballing career as a player - but he acquired enough experience to help teams in deprived nations as a well-respected coach.

The well-travelled Italian has taken his expertise to the likes of Bulgaria, Cameroon, Libya, DRC Congo and various other clubs around the Middle East.

Now the coach - who once played as a winger in Italy, France and Switzerland - has decided to voluntarily travel to the city of Hebron to coach Khalil S.C. for free.

The players have certainly been impressed by the Italian's methods.

Fadi Douik says the standard of coaching is so high that it could rival the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan, in his opinion.

"I will probably surprise you if I say that for a month now we have been training in a way we haven't seen on Youtube from Real Madrid or Inter Milan. I mean we do physical training and mental preparations."

Cusin also brought with him a fellow Italian physical trainer - Gian Luca Sorini - which the Palestinians will also no doubt benefit from.

Hebron, West Bank, Palestine. 12th February, 2015.

1. 00:00 Exterior of Al Hussein International Stadium.

2. 00:05 Wide of Khalil S.C. (Hebron) team in training.

3. 00:10 Various of Stefano Cusin instructing his players.

4. 00:33 SOUNDBITE: (English) Stefano Cusin, Khalil S.C. coach:

"I have two houses in Italy, I have two cars, I have what I need for my life I don't need more I don't need to have ten houses , what I do after with ten houses ,it's better to use my time to give to the people because maybe one time in the future my son can come back or the son of my son can come back in Palestine someone will pick him up in the airport because his grandfather he do something for for this country."

5. 01:04 Various of Hebron team in training.

6. 01:29 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Fadi Douik, player:

"To have coaches of the highest standards - whether from Italy or elsewhere from Europe - it's a different thinking, different methods. A different way of preparing the team. I will probably surprise you if I say that for a month now we have been training in a way we haven't seen on Youtube from Real Madrid or Inter Milan. I mean we do both physical training and mental preparations."

7. 01:53 Various of training.

8. 02:23 Close-up of Gian Luca Sorini.

9. 02:26 Mid shot of Italian coaches and their wives in the house of the president of the club.

10. 02:30 SOUNDBITE:(English) Gian Luca Sorini, physical trainer KHALIL S.C:

"Palestine, for me, was a surprise because we started this journey with many things on our mind. With the idea that Palestine is in a war so, unfortunately, we saw some situations about Palestine that fortunately - and luckily - are not real."

11. 03:04 Mid of Italian coaches and their wives in the house of the president of the club.

STORYLINE:

AFC president Sheikh Salman visited the Palestine Football Association in Ramallah on Monday (23rd April).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

AFC president Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa praised Palestine's recent footballing success when he visited on Monday (23rd April).

Palestine have qualified for the 2019 Asian Cup for the second time in their history - and will be heading to the tournament in Abu Dhabi in January.

Currently sitting at 83 in the FIFA rankings, Palestine have managed to climb from 131st in 2016 which highlights the team's on-going growth on the world stage.

Head of the Palestinian FA, Jibril Rajoub thinks Palestinian football could still improve more with help from FIFA and the Olympic committee.

Sheikh Salman called his visit, "A chance to meet and discuss all sporting aspects and hopefully this will enable the Palestinian FA to achieve even better results than recently achieved."

Ramallah, Palestine. 23rd April, 2018.

1. 00:00 Exterior shot of Joseph Blatter Academy.

2. 00:23 Arrival of Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifawith Jibril Rajoub.

3. 00:44 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, AFC president:

"This is my duty as a continental president to visit all AFC members to see what their situation is and what we can do to help especially after the results achieved by the Palestinian FA in recent years. I think what has been achieved recently is a great achievement with God's help and the Palestinian FA authorities help. They reached Asia Cup 2019 in the UAE. Also it's our duty to be close to federations that are in a bit of difficulty. So we wanted to come and visit and to see what we can do to help development and social programmes. I wish the best and success to Palestinian football at all levels."

4. 01:56 Cutaway to photographers.

5. 01:58 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, AFC president:

"We are visiting academies, camps and Jerusalem but the programme is with Abu Rami (Al Jibreel), he prepared everything. This is a chance to meet and discuss all sporting aspects and hopefully this will enable the Palestinian FA to achieve even better results than recently achieved "

6. 02:30 Various of Jibril Rajoub in presser.

7. 03:00 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian FA:

"We hope that he will be our messenger at FIFA to convince them to allow the Palestinians to improve their football and to spread it around and to practice it at home like all other populations around the world under the FIFA umbrella and the Olympic Charter."

8. 02:26 Mid of Sheikh Salman posing for the local media.

SOURCE:SNTV.

DURATION:03:47.

Palestinians flocked to see the FIFA 2018 World Cup trophy at the weekend (17th/18th February) as it continued its promotional tour before this summer's tournament in Russia.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The FIFA 2018 World Cup trophy landed in Ramallah on Saturday (17th February) as part of its ongoing world tour.

Fans were able to see the famous gold-plated hand and ball which will be awarded to the winner in Russia in July.

Palestine, which was officially recognised by FIFA in 1998, has yet to qualify for the World Cup, but that did not stop fans queuing up to view the iconic trophy.

The nation's first major title was the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, and Palestine have also qualified for the 2019 Asian Cup.

The trophy's world tour kicked off in Russia in September 2017 and will take in more than 50 countries across six continents before it concludes in the Russian city of Vladivostok on 1st May.

Ramallah, West Bank. 17th/18th February 2018.

1. 00:00 Various of reception for World Cup trophy tour

2. 00:20 Close up of trophy

3. 00:23 Mid of reception

4. 00:26 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Heni Thlajieh, FIFA representative:

"Sport brings people closer to whatever their nationality, regardless of their differences and social class. Ultimately, football brings people together in one place for one hope and one goal, and we hope that Palestine will one day qualify and play in the World Cup."

5. 00:45 Palestinians flock to see trophy

6. 01:32 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Majdi Al-Qasim, Palestinian visitor:

"There are many teams that could win the World Cup. I think that the Brazil, Germany and Spain teams are the strongest candidates, although I think Brazil has the best chance."

7. 01:43 Visitors viewing the trophy

8. 02:01 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Sajida Switi, Palestinian visitor:

I hope there will be more opportunities in the future for Arab teams to win the World Cup. Four Arab teams will be competing in the World Cup in Russia. As an Arab myself, I hope that an Arab team will be crowned champions this year. Nothing is impossible in football, everything is possible."

9. 02:18 Visitors taking photographs with the trophy

10. 02:33 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Ibrahim Jawad, Palestinian visitor:

"It will be difficult for a Palestine team to participate in the World Cup in 2022, but by 2026 there may be a new format that increases the number of participating teams, which might give Palestine a chance to participate at the World Cup in 2026."

11. 02:47 Exterior of Coca Cola building where event was held

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 02:58

Goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi sounded confident as Oman trained in the West Bank on Monday (12th June) ahead of their encounter on Tuesday (13th June) against Palestine in the second round of AFC 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Oman arrived in Ram Allah, West Bank, on Monday (12th June) on the eve of their match against Palestine on Tuesday in Asian Cup qualifying.

Both teams have three points in Group D after Omar thrashed Bhutan 14-0, and Palestine defeated the Maldives 3-0 in the first round back in March.

Ali Al-Habsi acknowledged that Oman will be facing a more serious opponent this time.

"We are well prepared for the match. We should not forget that Palestine is one of the strongest teams when they play at home. They have achieved good results recently. It's going to be a difficult match in different circumstances. However, I hope we will be focused and determined in the game," said the goalkeeper.

West Bank, The Palestinian Territories, 12 June, 2017

1. 00:00 Various Oman national team arriving in Ramallah

2. 00:18 Various Oman team training at Faisal Al-Hussein Stadium

3. 00:50 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ali Al-Habsi, Oman goalkeeper:

"We are well prepared for the match. We should not forget that Palestine is one of the strongest teams when they play at home. They have achieved good results recently. It's going to be a difficult match in different circumstances. However, I hope we will be focused and determined in the game."

4. 01:15 Various Oman training

5. 01:35 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmad Mubarak, Oman midfielder:

"This is an important match and we know how good the Palestinian side is. We came here with high morale and well-focused. It's going to be a difficult match for both teams."

6. 02:02 Various Oman training

7. 02:38 Palestine and Oman flags

DURATION: 02:40

SOURCE: SNTV

SOURCE: SNTV

RESTRICTIONS: SNTV clients only. Scheduled news programmes only. Use within 14 days. If interested in archive use after 14 days please contact www.aparchive.com <http://www.aparchive.com>. Internet use only for SNTV clients with digital rights licensed in their contract. For any questions regarding rights restrictions please contact planning@sntv.com

DURATION: 2:13

STORYLINE:

Palestine prepares to take part in the Asian Cup 2015.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Palestine made history as they won the AFC Challenge Cup to book a maiden qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2015.

They were the final team to qualify for the 16-team continental tournament thanks to a thrilling win over Philippines in May.

Palestine trained on Monday (29th December) before travelling to Australia, where they will open their AFC Asian Cup 2015 campaign against defending champions Japan on 12th January, before further Group D matches against 2007 Asian Cup winners Iraq and neighbours Jordan.

Ahmed Al Hassan, Palestine head coach, thinks that Japan is the favourite to win the group but they are relying on the players and the supporting fans to make an achievement in the Asian tournament.

Although Palestine falls in a hard group, they could be surprise winners.

Their performance has recently improved as they have jumped ahead 71 placed in the FIFA World Rankings to reach the 94th place, their highest-ever international ranking last June.

They also have a great addition to the team - Imad Khalili, top-scorer with 15 goals in last season's Swedish top division.

The 27-year-old is set to spearhead the attack in his country's AFC Asian Cup opener against Japan in Australia next January.

SHOTLIST: Majed Assaad Stadium. Al-Bireh, Palestine. 29 December 2014.

1. 00:00 Various of Palestinian team training

2. 00:23 Various of Ahmed Al Hassan, Palestine head coach, giving instructions to the players

3. 00:27 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Ahmed Al Hassan, Palestine head coach

"It Is definite that Japan is the favourite to win the group. However I think that the three teams have equal chances. The Palestinian team is capable though of realising an achievement thanks to the players and the supporting fans."

4. 00:47 Various of Palestinian team training

5. 01:10 Various of Raed Fares, Palestine defender, training

6. 01:14 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Raed Fares, Palestine defender

"We will do our best to reach the highest level possible in the team so we can face the teams in the group. We are not going to Australia to just represent our country or to raise the flag only but to bring joy to the Palestinian people and to all the football lovers."

7. 01:40 Various of Palestinian team training

SOURCE: SNTV

The Palestinian football squad prepare to face Saudi Arabia in Group A in the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, as well as 2019 Asian Cup.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

40 teams divided into eight groups will battle it out starting next weekend to advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification, as well as qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup as a result.

Group winners and the four best group runners-up will be the nations celebrating at the end of this round.

On Saturday (11th June), Palestine will travel to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for the original home game.

The head of the Palestinian FA, Jibril Rajoub, says although the decision was made to take the home game to the Kingdom, they are determined to play the return leg at home in their new stadium.

Group A also features the UAE, Timor-Leste and Malaysia.

West Bank, Palestine. 8th June, 2015.

1. 00:00 Exteriors of the Palestinian football FA

2. 00:12 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, Palestinian FA chairman:

"We agreed to our Saudi brothers' demands under conditions that we swap home and away, on this basis we contacted FIFA and I think the Saudis also contacted FIFA with this spirit - and we are determined to play one leg at home."

3. 00:35 Various shots of Palestinian team at training.

4. 00:51 Close-up of head coach Abdel Nasser Barakat .

5. 00 55 Various of training.

6. 01:07 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdel Nasser Barakat, head coach:

"We hope to achieve a positive result, despite the fact we all know the Saudi team. In football, you have to believe in your chances regardless of the opponent, so we always have chances if we believed in them. I hope to put in a good display for the Palestinian people."

7. 01:29 Various of training.

8. 01:53 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmed Maajnah, player:

"Of course, we would like to play in a more cooler conditions because this helps players, despite the hot conditions in Saudi Arabia. We are today in Jericho and the weather is the same as in Saudi Arabia. We are ready for the game and, God-willing, we achieve our goal and get the win to bring happiness to the Palestinian fans."

9. 02:17 Various of training.

DURATION: 02:39.

Bhutan trained and talked in Hebron, West Bank on Monday (9th October) ahead of their 2019 Asian Cup Group D qualifier against Palestine.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Bhutan trained at Dora International Stadium on Monday, ahead of their 2019 Asian Cup Group D qualifier against Palestine on Tuesday (10th October).

Both come into the match in very contrasting form.

At the halfway point of qualifying, group leaders Palestine have won all three games - including an impressive 2-1 victory over Oman.

The home side will go a long way to clinching their place in the 2019 Asian Cup if they win on Tuesday.

The top two teams from each group go through to the 2019 Asian Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile Bhutan, ranked 174 in the world and a country of just 800,000 people, are bottom of the group with zero points.

Their goal difference makes for painful reading too - minus 18.

They suffered a 14-0 mauling away to Oman in February.

That big defeat aside, the Himalayan team did make it through to this, the third round of qualifying, via a 3-1 aggregate win over neighbours Bangladesh.

Bhutan's German coach Torsten Spittler believes the key to a positive performance against Palestine is steering clear of a physical contest with Abdel Nasser Barakat's men.

"This is a weakness of our team, mountain people are not as tall as most of the other people," Spittler said. "We have to try to avoid this situation."

Spittler has managed Bhutan for just over a year and has previous national team experience with Nepal.

Dora International Stadium, Hebron, West Bank. 9th October 2017.

1. 00:00 Bhutan passing drill

2. 00:04 Bhutan coach Torsten Spittler

3. 00:10 Various of Bhutan training

4. 00:26 Spittler directing training

5. 00:30 SOUNDBITE: (English) Torsten Spittler, Bhutan coach:

(on the strengths of Palestine)

"They are physically strong team. So, this is a weakness of our team, mountain people are not as tall as most of the other people. But, okay, as I said, they are physical team, they try to get this physical advantage into the match. We have to try to avoid this situation or these situations. They have some very good players in the team."

6. 00:59 Various of Bhutan training

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 01:47

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SHOTLIST: West Bank - 16th December, 2015.

1. 00.00 Tokyo Sexwale, chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine received by Saeb Erekat the Palestinian chief negotiator

2. 00.07 Various of Jibril Rajoub , President of the Palestinian Football Association, Saeb Erekat the Palestinian chief negotiator and the Israel Football Association president Ofer Eini in meting

3. 00.28 Jibril Rajoub, Tokyo Sexwale, Ofer Eini in press conference

4. 00.34 SOUNDBITE: (English) Tokyo Sexwale, Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel:

"We know that the political security that motivated the issues affect the movement of people, and the committee was discussing ways to resolve this, so we will see the report about the problems that are afflicted the movement of people, and how they should be resolved."

5. 01.08 Cut away

6. 01.10 SOUNDBITE: (English) Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestinian Football Association:

"We will never tolerate any sort of compromise about our right to deliver the game, to practise the game and to be protected by this status of FIFA, which should be a term of reference for both federations including our right to develop the game within the territories recognised by the UN as a Palestinian state, and also the same right as the Israelis to practise their game within their recognised borders and territories."

SOURCE: SNTV.

DURATION: 1:50

STORYLINE:

A panel seeking to improve Israeli-Palestinian football issues met in the West Bank on Wednesday (16th December), but failed to resolve a number of issues angering the Palestinian side.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

It was the second time the FIFA monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine panel met, and yet still no agreements have been made.

The panel concluded that the issues require more time and broader discussions with authorities in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The panel is headed by South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale, who is standing in next year's FIFA presidential election.

Palestinians have long claimed that Israeli security restrictions limit movement of their players, visiting teams and football equipment, while Israeli football officials have said that political decisions are beyond their control.

Sexwale was appointed in May after Palestinians dropped a request for the FIFA Congress to vote on suspending Israel from football's governing body.

RESTRICTIONS: SNTV clients only. Scheduled news programmes only. Use within 14 days. If interested in archive use after 14 days please contact www.aparchive.com. Internet use only for SNTV clients with digital rights licensed in their contract. For any questions regarding rights restrictions please contact planning@sntv.com

SHOTLIST: Ramallah, Al-Jalazon and Al-Bireh, West Bank, May 20th, 2015.

Ramallah, West Bank, 20 May 2015:

1. 00.00 Wide of FIFA president Sepp Blatter arriving at the Palestinian Prime Minister's office at the West Bank city of Ramallah.

2. 00.15 Wide of FIFA president Sepp Blatter shaking hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Presidential Compound in Ramallah.

3. 00.28 Close-up and zoom out from Palestinian President Abbas to wide of Abbas-Blatter meeting.

Al-Jalazon refugee camp, north of Ramallah, West Bank, 20 May 2015:

4. 00.33 Wide of camp.

5. 00.38 M/s of camp.

6. 00.43 Various of FIFA president Sepp Blatter's visit to camp.

7. 01.26 SOUNDBITE: (English) FIFA President Sepp Blatter:

"I am very happy to be back in Palestine and today it is a special day because I am visiting a special institution here - this camp. I am amazed about the optimism that I have found here and this

optimism is not only created by the sport but this optimism is created because you believe in youth and you believe in Palestine."

8. 02.07 More of Blatter visit to Al-Jalazon refugee camp.

Al-Bireh, West Bank, 20 May 2015:

9. 02.30 Wide of FIFA president Sepp Blatter entering press conference room at the Sepp Blatter Academy in the west bank city of Al-Bireh.

10. 02.39 SOUNDBITE: (English) FIFA President Sepp Blatter:

"There is a problem therein and this is a delicate problem and this is the problem of these five teams of Israel. They play on territories which are claimed or which are territories of Palestine and which are in dispute on the other side. But this is where in FIFA this has nothing to do with the statutes of FIFA when it comes to territory but it could be for FIFA's statutes when this would mean that national association is playing on the territory of the other national association without having received permission to do so."

11. 03.28 Wide of press conference.

12. 03.33 Mid of Blatter Academy.

13. 03.39 Wide of Blatter academy.

SOURCE: SNTV.

DURATION: 03:44.

STORYLINE:

FIFA president Sepp Blatter visits Ramallah in Palestine on Wednesday (20th May), after his 'mission of peace' trip to Israel.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday (20th May) he is on a 'mission of peace' to resolve tensions between the Israeli and Palestinian soccer federations in the hope of staving off a Palestinian bid to oust Israel from the world governing body.

As part of his vision of using sports as a bridge between people, on Tuesday (19th May), Blatter proposed holding a peace match in Zurich between the Israeli and Palestinian national teams.

Seated alongside Blatter, the president of the Israeli federation, Ofer Eini, immediately accepted the offer.

But the main issue bringing the FIFA president to the region appeared to remain unresolved.

Palestinians say Israeli security restrictions are limiting movement of Palestinian players, visiting teams and soccer equipment and have put forward a proposal to suspend Israel from world soccer at the 209-nation FIFA meeting on 29th May.

Blatter met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Wednesday and paid a visit to the Al-Jalazon refugee camp.

Blatter said he hoped to reach a quick solution to the crisis and perhaps even spark further cooperation between the sides.

Israel has cited security concerns as the reason behind the occasional restrictions placed on Palestinian players, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the Islamic militant group Hamas.

Rotem Kemer, the Israeli federation's chief executive, said Israel has approved more than 95 per cent of the Palestinian requests this year for players to move between Gaza and the West Bank and to travel abroad.

Palestine will host Saudi Arabia in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on the fifth of November, the head of the Palestinian Football Association confirmed on Thursday (22nd October).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The Palestinian national football team will host Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifier match on the 5th of November, the head of the Palestinian Football Association confirmed on Thursday.

The two teams were meant to play each other on the Palestinian territory on 13th October - but the game was postponed after Saudi Arabia expressed concern over being subject to Israeli security checks in the West Bank.

Ramallah, West Bank. 22nd October, 2015.

1. 00:00 Wide shot of Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association walking to podium.

2. 00:08 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association:

"We have started preparing for the match on November the 5th in Palestine, we tell the Saudi brothers if you like, you are welcome, but if they don't like we cannot concede our home playground because this is one of sovereignty symbols."

3. 00:40 Cut away of flags.

4. 00:45 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association:

"The Saudis have appealed to the FIFA, and we will welcome any decision taken by the FIFA, but please don't pressure us, either they agree or find a way to solve the problem of the three points (the one doesn't abide by the FIFA rule loses three points) - and we are ready to concede the three points in order to maintain our right in the home playground."

5. 01:20 Wide shot of palestinians holding Arabic banner reading: " The home stadium is a Palestinian right that cannot be wasted".

6. 01:25 Wide shot of press conference.

7. 01:28 End shot wide of Joseph Blatter academy in the west bank city of Ramallah where the press conference took place.

Palestinian FA agree to FIFA demand to hold two World Cup qualifiers versus Saudi Arabia and Malaysia in Jordan.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The president of the Palestinian Soccer Federation said on Thursday (November 5th) that the national team's two upcoming World Cup qualifying matches - against Saudi Arabia on Monday and Malaysia next Thursday - will be played in Jordan.

Palestinian soccer federation president Jibril Rajoub made the announcement at a news conference in Ramallah in the West Bank.

Earlier this week, FIFA said the matches against Saudi Arabia and Malaysia could not take place in the West Bank because of security reasons.

A new round of Israeli-Palestinian confrontations erupted last month, and the West Bank has been the scene of repeated clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops.

Ramallah, West Bank. 5th November, 2015.

1. 00.00 Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association walking to podium.

2. 00.05 Wide of press conference.

3. 00.10 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association:

"FIFA sent us a deadline, we agreed and we sent our consent, it is not me who decides and not you. On the day of the game, the match monitor will come and will decide on the technical issues, I'm telling you we have talked to the Saudis to postpone it. "

4. 00.27 Various media at press conference.

5. 00.47 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association:

"In principle our decision is to go for the matches, one on the ninth, and one on the 12th, regardless of the result and regardless of the circumstances but until now we still have problems with them. If they agree to postpone that will be appreciated if not, that will also will be appreciated."

6. 01.19 Rajoub at press conference.

WEST BANK SETTLEMENT FOOTBALL

SOURCE: AP TELEVISION

RESTRICTIONS: MIDDLE EAST EXTRA CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 3:01

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

Abu Dis - 11 October 2016

1. Palestinian children holding footballs accompanied by a player from the Palestinian women's national team, marching towards a football pitch located within Israeli settlement Ma'ale Adumim

2. Banner reading (English) "FIFA don't look away, please let us play"

3. Palestinian children marching with the Israeli settlement Ma'ale Adumim in front of them

4. Israeli security and Ma'ale Adumim in the background

5. Israel security stopping the Palestinian children

6. Palestinian children chanting UPSOUND (English) "Infantino let us play. 1,2,3,4 occupation no more."

7. Palestinian activist Fadi Quran talking to Israeli security

8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fadi Quran, activist:

"I am with Palestinian children from the Palestinian village of Duma and Jabal Al-Baba, these children are under the threat of displacement from their land and the occupation is not allowing them to build a football stadium on their land and is attacking their houses daily. In the coming days FIFA will take a decision on whether FIFA will implement its statutes and remove the settlement teams from all FIFA sponsored leagues or not. Those teams are located on the occupied land of these children. The children are here to send a message to all FIFA council members - led by FIFA President Infantino - to vote for banning the Israeli settlement teams."

9. Palestinian women's national team player Dima Yousef (left) and friend holding banners reading (English) "Infantino: Keep your promise, let us play."

10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Dima Yousef, football player from the Palestinian women's national team:

"This is illegal and the international community should take action against this. FIFA gave us the right to play but they are not implementing this right completely. The settlement teams are not legal and should not be registered in any union and FIFA should stop them playing in Israel or anywhere else."

11. Various of Palestinian children and Israeli security

12. Close of shirt reading (English) "All we want is to play football"

13. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fadi Quran, activist:

"The message from the Israeli security was clear, no Palestinian is allowed to enter the settlement without permission, but the thing is that, this settlement is built on the land of these children who were looking to go into the settlement to play football."

14. Children standing in line with their backs to security

15. Close of child's shirt reading (English) "All we want is to play football"

16. Various of children leaving

17. Israeli security

18. Israeli settlement Ma'ale Adumim

LEADIN:

It could be crunch time for those teams in the Israeli leagues that play in West Bank settlements.

FIFA's impending meeting in Zurich may deliver a ruling on whether they will implement bans on teams whose pitches are on disputed ground.

In the meantime, the children just want to play the game.

STORYLINE:

Eleven Palestinian children, accompanied by Palestinian national women's team player Dima Yousef, march towards a football pitch to play.

The problem is, the pitch is located within an Israeli settlement, on land that belonged to the Jabal Al-Baba community of the West Bank city of Abu Dis.

This action comes two days before the FIFA council - led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino - comes together in Zurich, Switzerland.

"Israel and Palestine" is always on the FIFA agenda, and this week is no different. But those amongst the Jabal Al-Baba community hope they will take a decision on the potential removal of settlement teams from all FIFA sponsored leagues.

The FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine was established in 2015 to ease Israeli restrictions on Palestinian teams and players after the Palestinians withdrew a bid to suspend the Israeli Football Association.

Moreover, at the end of last month, Human Rights Watch released a report accusing Israeli settlement clubs of contributing to human rights violations. Whether this kind of pressure will spur the council members into action remains to be seen.

"Don't look away - please let us play" say the banners directed at the sport's governing body.

As the children approach the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, Israeli security step in and prevent them from continuing their journey.

These football players come from the villages of Duma and the Bedouin communities of Jabal Al-Baba, which have suffered attacks from settlers and whose families forced from their homes to make way for settlement expansion.

"I am with Palestinian children from the Palestinian village of Duma and Jabal Al-Baba, these children are under the threat of displacement from their land and the occupation is not allowing them to build a football stadium on their land and is attacking their houses daily," says activist Fadi Quran, who is walking with the children.

Duma village is where a settler attack last year resulted in the death of the Dawabsheh family.

Duma is located between the settlements of Ariel and Tomer, both of which have settlement football teams that could face a ban depending on FIFA's stance on the situation.

The Israeli Football Federation, a FIFA member, allows the sides to play and participate in the Israeli League Championship, as well as permitting participation in all the official competitions in Israel.

Dima Yousef has become a successful player but wants to ensure that the younger generation gets a chance to play. She is hoping that FIFA takes its principles seriously.

"This is illegal and the international community should take action against this. FIFA gave us the right to play but they are not implementing this right completely," she says.

The Jabal Al-Baba team represents the Bedouin communities in East Jerusalem governorate.

Ma'ale Adumim is located on the land where members of the Jabal Al-Baba families used to live.

This settlement also has a team that FIFA may ban.

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LEAD IN

Football is played all over the world, but when the actual pitches are on disputed ground, politics can take over.

A report by the organisation Human Rights Watch accuses football body FIFA of allowing Israeli matches to take place on land illegally taken from Palestinians.

STORY-LINE

The Beitar Shabi Givat Zeev players are taking part in a training session.

They practise passing and close control skills as an autumn evening breeze sweeps through the surrounding rocky hills.

It's a scene played out all across the world, but critics say these players and the games they stage in Israeli West Bank settlements are taking the sheen off the much-loved sport and dragging football's global governing body into regional politics.

Some Palestinian football officials have complained that the mere existence of the clubs in a FIFA-sponsored league legitimises the settlements. Now, a new report by Human Rights Watch accuses the international football federation of sponsoring matches on land illegally taken from Palestinians and is demanding that FIFA ensures the Israel Football Association moves all games played in the settlements to within Israel proper.

"The Israel Football Association includes six clubs that are playing in unlawful settlements in the occupied West Bank, but they belong to the Israel Football Association. Those matches take place on land that has been stolen from Palestinian families" says Sari Bashi from Human Rights Watch.

Givat Zeev is one of six Israeli clubs based in the settlements and their fields are built on land in the West Bank, an area the Palestinians want for their future state along with the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. Many quarters of the international community consider settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace.

Rather than uniting the conflicting sides, football - no stranger to sectarianism - has driven a wedge further between Israelis and Palestinians.

Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, led an unsuccessful campaign last year to suspend Israel from FIFA over a series of complaints, including the settlement clubs, which he wants banned entirely. The Palestinians say the Israel Football Association is breaking FIFA rules that bar a member association from holding games on another member's territory without permission.

The Palestinians have also been angered by Israeli security restrictions which they say limit the movement of Palestinian players, visiting teams and football equipment.

Israel has rejected the Palestinian FIFA campaign as an attempt to politicise sports and has cited security concerns as the reason behind the occasional restrictions placed on Palestinian players, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the Islamic militant group Hamas.

Following the suspension attempt, both sides agreed to a compromise that included international monitoring of Israel's actions toward Palestinian football players and more scrutiny for the settlement clubs.

A FIFA monitoring committee is set to submit its recommendations on the dispute to a FIFA council meeting on October 13. A FIFA spokesperson said there had been "marked progress" regarding security-related delays but that the question of settlement clubs was still under discussion.

The report slams the fields' location on occupied land in violation of international law.

Using GIS images obtained by the anti-settlement group Kerem Navot, the report says that two of the fields used by the settlement clubs was built on privately owned Palestinian land. Two other fields appear to have been cultivated before being seized by Israel, an indication that they too are located on privately-owned Palestinian land.

Among the fields is the Givat Zeev pitch, which the report says was built on privately owned Palestinian land "taken without permission and rendered off limits to its owners" after Israel built the settlement.

A mosque from a nearby Palestinian town pokes over a ridge surrounding the football field, where a team, clad in fluorescent cleats and blue uniforms adorned with a menorah, train ahead of their first game of the season.

Gabi Perez, the club's founder, says football provides dozens of local children with an opportunity to have fun, teaches them discipline and teamwork and keeps them out of mischief.

"We only deal with education. We don't deal with politics. Let him (PFA chief Jibril Rajoub) find something else to occupy his time, another subject. Let's assume FIFA shuts this down. What will he have achieved? Children won't play football in the Israel Football Association. They will continue to play on the field," he says.

Givat Zeev play in the fourth tier of Israeli football.

Givat Zeev, West Bank - 22 September 2016

1. Wide of football practice

2. Feet of players kicking around ball

3. Zoom out from Israeli flag to football team

4. Wide of West Bank separation barrier

5. Wide of settlement with Palestinian town in background

6. Mid of mosque seen behind rooftops of settlement houses

AP Television

Jerusalem - 25 September 2016

7. Establishing shot of Sari Bashi, Israel/Palestine director at Human Rights Watch

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sari Bashi, Israel/Palestine director at Human Rights Watch:

"Human Rights Watch has issued a report showing that FIFA, through its affiliate, the Israel Football Association, is fielding matches on land that has been unlawfully taken from Palestinians. The Israel Football Association includes six clubs that are playing in unlawful settlements in the occupied West Bank, but they belong to the Israel Football Association. Those matches take place on land that has been stolen from Palestinian families and Palestinians are not allowed to attend those games, play or come as coaches. In doing so FIFA is contributing to serious Human Rights violations and we're asking FIFA to stop allowing the IFA to hold matches in settlements."

Givat Zeev, West Bank - 22 September 2016

9. Wide of changing rooms with club name written in Hebrew "Beitar Shabi Givat Zeev"

10. Wide of club emblem with menorah

11. Establishing shot of Gabi Perez, club founder, arranging medals

12. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Gabi Perez, Beitar Shabi Givat Zeev club founder:

"I think that whoever through football promotes a political issue is making a mistake. It will be stupid if FIFA comes to that decision. There are politicians, there is a state, there is the United Nations. Who is FIFA? They are a small body in a global system. They can't make a decision like that."

13. Wide of pitch

14. Various of youth team practising

15. SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) Gabi Perez, Beitar Shabi Givat Zeev club founder

"We only deal with education. We don't deal with politics. Let him (PFA chief Jibril Rajoub) find something else to occupy his time, another subject. Let's assume FIFA shuts this down. What will he have achieved? Children won't play football in the Israel Football Association. They will continue to play on the field."

16. Team moving goal

17. Players practising

18. Players practising with mosque in background

SNTV speak to the manager and players of Ittihad Shojaeyya Club the leaders of domestic football league in the Gaza Strip.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

More than half a year after the recent devastating bombing in Gaza many neighborhoods remain in tatters.

Despite the decades of conflict, blockades and poverty - football is still popular among the 1.8 million population.

Although the lack of resources, travel restrictions and arrests make conditions difficult - clubs such as Ittihad Shojaeyya remains determined and ambitious.

Shojaeyya leads the local league with 36 points and is almost certain to win the title for the first time.

Defender Hosam Wady Rajab is hoping that the club will make it all the way to the congenital competitions: "Our target for this year is to win the league title and compete for the Cup title. Hopefully we will qualify to an Asian Championship."

Football has been played in the Palestinian territories since the 1920s when it was introduced during the time of the British mandate.

The Palestinian national team reached an all-time high position of 94th in the FIFA ranking in June 2014 after winning the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup.

Gaza Strip, Palestine. 21st April, 2015.

1. 00:00 Various of Shija'a district of Gaza

2. 00:07 Various of Ittihad Shojaeyya Club

3. 00:15 Various of players getting ready for training

4. 00:39 Medium of manager Na'im Al Swerki speaking to players

5. 00:43 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Na'im Al Swerki, Ittihad Shojaeyya manager:

"People still take part in various sports despite the blockade and the poor resources available for the clubs. That shows their love of the sport, their area and their clubs. As for the resource available for the clubs I could only describe them as very poor."

6. 01:05 various of training

7. 01:42 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) defender, Hosam Wady Rajab:

"Our target for this year is to win the league title and compete for the Cup title. Hopefully we will qualify to an Asian Championship. Palestinian clubs can qualify to play abroad. We hope to qualify and represent well our team and football in Palestine and Gaza. Ittihad Shojaeyya is a team with great history all people know it. It has participated previously in Asian Tournaments."

8. 02:04 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) defender, Faraj Jondeya:

"Palestinian players, especially in Gaza strip, suffer from the lack of suitable grounds. This has a bad effect on the players and the game. We are able sometimes to find a grass ground to play on and sometimes we have to do without."

9. 02:21 Various of training

Yarmouk stadium, Central Gaza, 17th April 2015:

10. 02:33 Various of a match between Ittihad Shojaeyya and Al Hillal Gaza in Al Shaheed Ahid's Cup