Israel clear to play in Olympic soccer tournament after FIFA postpones decision

ZURICH   -  FIFA has postponed a decision on a Palestinian proposal to   ban  Israel from international soccer because of   its  conflict with Hamas, clearing the way for the Israeli   men's  national team to   participate  in  the Paris   Olympics.
 
   World  soccer's  governing body   was  due  to make a decision  at an extraordinary council meeting   on  Saturday  after   requesting  an independent legal assessment of the Palestinian proposal two months ago. That decision would have come just four days before the start of the Olympic soccer tournament,   which  has  placed  Israel   in  a group with Japan, Mali and   Paraguay.
 
   However, FIFA said   on  Thursday  it had pushed back the   timetable  because   "more  time is needed to   complete  this process with due   diligence  and   integrity,"  meaning a decision   will  now   be  made  after the Olympics   end.
 
   FIFA said both   sides  had   requested  extensions   "to  set  out  their respective   positions"  and that the independent assessment   would  now be   communicated  to  FIFA   in  August.  No  later  than  31.
 
   The   men's  Olympic final   will  take place   in  August. 9.

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