FAI to fulfil Euro women’s under-17 qualifier against Israel

FAI President Paul Cooke. Pic: Dave Winter, Inpho

The FAI will fulfil their Euro women’s under-17 qualifier against Israel in Albania on February 23 despite growing pressure to boycott the fixture.

Five Ireland Basketball players refused to face the Israelis on Wednesday on a point of principle over the ongoing conflict in Palestine. 

The Israeli state is currently on trial for alleged genocide.

Though the group Irish Sport for Palestine have pleaded with associations to boycott events and fixtures against Israel, the FAI have no intention of doing so.

FAI President Paul Cooke recently responded to concerns raised by a group of staff at Abbotstown by outlining the risk of sanctions from UEFA for failing to fulfil fixtures.

He reaffirmed that stance this week in Paris and chief executive Jonathan Hill admitted they were liaising with state officials on the matter.

“We’re talking with both Uefa and also with the Government,” he said.

“The minister made clear his position on the pretty defining role of the governing body and in this case it’s UEFA, so we’ll continue to discuss. It has been useful to discuss it here (in France) with them.” 

When asked directly if the game would proceed, despite Hill uttering the words “As I said, we’re talking about…," Cooke interjected to clearly state: “Yes.”