Barca Refuses To Play Against Beitar In Jerusalem, Palestine's PSSI Praise Laporta

JAKARTA - The Palestinian Football Association has applauded Barcelona's decision to withdraw from the pre-season friendly in Jerusalem this summer.

Barcelona were originally scheduled to play Beitar Jerusalem on August 4.

However, the match was called off after the Israeli club refused to change locations.

In response, General Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, wrote an official letter to Barcelona president Joan Laporta, praising him for the decision.

"The PFA welcomes Barcelona's decision to respect the rights of the Palestinian Football Association and its millions of grateful fans," the letter read.

Moshe Hogg, the owner of Beitar Jerusalem, said earlier they were not ready to play in a city other than Jerusalem as Barcelona had asked.