Palestinian football chief ‘persona non grata’

AMMAN – Authorities on Monday told president of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) Jibreel Rjoub he was persona non grata, banning him from entering Jordan, an official source confirmed.

As the Palestinian official arrived at the Queen Alia International Airport from Tunisia, he was asked to return onboard the same plane, but mediators convinced authorities to allow Rjoub to cross into Palestinian territories through the King Hussein Bridge, according to the source. 

"Rjoub was sent immediately from the airport to the bridge," the source told The Jordan Times on condition of anonymity.    

He did not elaborate on the reasons behind the ban on Rjoub, but observers say the move comes in reaction to the behaviour of the PFA head during FIFA elections on Friday. 

Rjoub celebrated Sepp Blatter’s re-election after HRH Prince Ali withdrew before the start of the second round. He reportedly voted for the 79-year-old Swiss.  

The way Rjoub acted following announcement of Blatter’s win over Prince Ali angered Jordanians, who expressed their sentiments and disappointment on social media. 

Palestinians inside the occupied territories also criticised Rjoub for what they termed his betrayal of Jordan and Prince Ali. 

The head of the Palestinian association, who was in Tunisia Monday, has been trying to convince the Jordanian public that he voted for the prince. 

The news that he was denied entry to Jordan was received with joy by social media users. 

Prince Ali returned to Jordan on Sunday from Zurich and was received at the airport by His Majesty King Abdullah and a large number of Jordanians. 

The prince lost to incumbent Blatter, who is struggling with alleged corruption being investigated by the US law enforcement agencies.