Senior figures in Israeli football have welcomed the election of Gianni Infantino as the new Fifa president.

Uefa executive committee member and former Israel FA chairman Avi Luzon said: “I have worked closely with him for the past seven years since he became Uefa secretary-general and he is a true personal friend and friend of Israel. His election will make it difficult for anybody to impose sanctions on Israeli football.

“It’s an excellent choice from Israel’s point of view and he has always helped Israeli football whenever I’ve asked him.

"He visited Israel for both the Uefa Congress in 2011 and Euro under-21 finals in 2013 and I’m sure relations with him will continue to be warm."

Fifa has also amended its regulations so that the plenum cannot vote on a resolution to expel a member until the executive committee has first approved the move. The change follows failed attempts to expel Israel by the Palestinian FA.