מכתב לספ בלאטר

Mr. Sepp Blatter

President of FIFA

Fédération Internationale de Football Association

 

Dear sir,

As you well know, the national team of Israel is searching for a new coach in place of Dror Kashtan, in the wake of its failed 2010 World Cup campaign.

In the past few days a bold, brilliant, brave idea has emerged and is being hotly debated by the Israeli public: hiring Mr. Hassan Shehate, the decorated coach of the Egyptian national team, recently crowned African champions for a third time in a row.

We have already written to Mr. Shehate and to Mr. Avi Luzon, head of the Israeli Football Association, urging them to put the initiative in motion.

We write to you, remembering full well the help you have offered to Israeli football over the past years as well as the significance you accord to the peace process in the area, and urge you to help Mr. Luzon and Mr. Shehate reach an accord. This is a historic moment of fantastic proportions, one that can't be missed. The hiring of Mr. Shehate would change not only the face of Israeli football, and Israeli-Egyptian relations, but also possibly alter the fate of the Middle East, not to mention the profile of world football as a positive force in a global society. This is one of those rare instances in which football can come out of itself, rise above itself, and make this a better world to live in.

Clearly, you can imagine the obstacles confronting this visionary idea. Mr. Luzon and Mr. Shehate, Israel and Egypt, need your help! We know that with your help, if you put your weight behind it, this vision can come to fruition.

 

Sincerely,

The Israeli Forum for Appointing Hassan Shehate to Coach of the National Team