FAI passes motion to seek immediate suspension of Israel by Uefa

Ireland's government has been one of the European Union's most outspoken critics of Israel's assault in Gaza

Flags displaying the 'UEFA' and 'UEFA Respect' logos. File picture: Alex Caparros/Getty

The FAI’s General Assembly has passed a motion by 77 votes to seven to submit a formal motion to Uefa requesting the immediate suspension of Israel from European competitions.

The resolution to call an emergency general meeting, proposed and supported by some member clubs, cites the Israel Football Association's (IFA) alleged violation of two independent provisions of the UEFA statutes, including organising clubs in occupied Palestinian territories without the consent of the Palestinian Football Association.

The second violation regards the alleged failure of the IFA to implement and enforce an effective anti-racism policy. The motion would also call on UEFA to publish transparent criteria for the suspension or exclusion of member associations.

Israel’s representative teams, male and female, continued to participate in competitions under the auspices of Uefa and Fifa. Maccabi Tel Aviv are also part of the Europa League group phase this season.

Pressure has mounted in recent weeks for the umbrella organisations to act but no decision has been made.

There had been speculation that Uefa could exclude Israeli teams from their European competitions but remain in Fifa’s.

The situation within Fifa is complicated due to their president Gianni Infantino’s close relationship with US President Donald Trump.

That bond will only strengthen in the buildup to the men’s World Cup next year co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

On 18 September 19, a letter sent by Bohemian FC, FairSquare, and Irish Sport for Palestine to Uefa called on the governing body to suspend the IFA for breaches of its statutes.

When the deadline of September 26 passed without a response from Uefa, they activated the democratic mechanisms within football to call an EGM and press for Israel’s removal from UEFA competitions.

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson questioned why Israel are allowed to play internationals by Uefa and Fifa when the governing bodies were swift to ban Russia three years ago.

The Ireland manager provided his opinion arising from the consequences of the United Nations independent international commission of inquiry concludiing that Israel has committed acts amounting to genocide in Gaza.

All Russian clubs and international teams are suspended from football since February 2022, the sanction imposed four days after the invasion of Ukraine.