NNA - Norwegian footballer Ole Saeter refused to transfer to Israeli club Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday, attributing strong moral objections amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

“I don’t want any blood money coming into my account. It would be a nightmare,” Saeter told Norwegian channel TV 2.

The 28-year-old stated that despite the financial independence he would gain, he could not accept the offer.

“It is a country that I have neither the morals nor the values to represent,” he highlighted. 

The Rosenborg player, who is of Pakistani descent, was offered approximately $910,000 to join the club, according to media reports.

"Even if I were offered $500 million, I would not join an Israeli club," Saeter said in an interview with a Norwegian newspaper.

FIFA delays review of PFA bid to suspend Israeli Football Association

"Israel" has been a contentious topic in the sports industry, especially due to its sportwashing amid the occupation's ongoing genocide in Gaza and the increased violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

FIFA, world football's governing body, has once again delayed its decision regarding a complaint filed by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) against the Israeli Football Association (IFA) in May.

The PFA has demanded the suspension of the IFA, citing multiple breaches of FIFA regulations.

In July, FIFA agreed to address the matter, committing to a legal evaluation of the IFA's conduct.

FIFA confirmed on August 31 that it "has received the independent legal assessment of the Palestine Football Association’s proposals against Israel."

It added that the assessment "will be sent to the FIFA Council to review in order that the subject can be discussed at its next meeting which will take place in October." --- AL MAYADEEN

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