FAI Approves Motion Seeking Uefa Ban on Israeli Teams

The Football Association of Ireland has given the green light to submit a formal motion to European football's governing body, demanding the exclusion of Israel from all European club and international tournaments.

Grounds for the Recommended Suspension

The resolution, which was proposed by Dublin club Bohemians, highlighted alleged breaches by the Israel Football Association of two important Uefa statutes.

  • Inability to implement and enforce an proper policy against racism.
  • Establishment of football teams in disputed territories lacking the consent of the Palestrian FA.

Ballot Results and Next Steps

According to an official statement from the FAI, the resolution was backed by 74 votes, with seven against and two abstentions.

They intends to formally submit this motion to the UEFA's decision-making body, seeking the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from Uefa competitions.

During a special assembly of the Football Association of Ireland, an ordinary resolution was put to delegates. It passed by a majority.

Previous Uefa Considerations

The European body had previously put on hold intentions to ban Israeli football at the end of September, following the revealing of Donald Trump's proposed peace plan for the area.

While Uefa never publicly stated contemplating an extraordinary meeting on the matter, plans were believed to be quite advanced.

Global Backdrop

This Irish resolution comes after similar demands in September from the leaders of Turkish and Norwegian football associations for Israel's suspension from international competition.

Those requests were issued after United Nations experts urged world and European football bodies to ban Israel, citing a UN investigation that claimed Israel of acts of genocide during the war in Gaza.

Israel has rejected these allegations and described the report as scandalous.

Possible Consequences

If European football's authority decide to ban the IFA, it would likely create tension with the United States government – joint hosts for the upcoming World Cup – which strongly opposes such an measure.

Even though Uefa has the authority to exclude Israel or its clubs from European competitions, it might not be able to prevent them from competing in World Cup qualifiers, which falls under world football's governing body.

Tammy Smith
Tammy Smith

A passionate football journalist with over 10 years of experience covering Italian football and Serie B teams.