Argentina ‘cancel’ World Cup 2018 warm-up friendly against Israel, claims Palestinian FA

The Argentinian Football Association has faced pressure over their plan to face Israel in Jerusalem this weekend

Argentina have pulled out of a friendly against Israel in Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Football Association.

The two sides were due to meet on Saturday at the Teddy Kollek stadium in the Israeli city ahead of Jorge Sampaoli’s team heading to Russia for the World Cup.

Argentina are in Group D alongside Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria as the country bids to win the tournament for a third time.

The Palestinian FA – which had called on Argentina to pull out of the game – said in a statement that the friendly had been called off.

It said: “The president of the Palestinian Federation of Football General Gabriel Rajoub confirmed that the Argentine Football Federation cancelled his game with Israel’s team... on the land of Jerusalem, as a result of the efforts of the Palestinians with the assistance of regional and international federations.

“The will of values, ethics and the message of sport had triumphed today, and the red card had been lifted in Israel’s face by cancelling this match.”

Neither the Argentine nor Israeli football associations have issued an official statement.

PA