Uefa bat away FAI’s call to suspend Israel

 UEFA headquarters in Nyon.  (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Uefa have failed to act on the FAI’s motion requesting the immediate suspension of Israel from European football competitions.

Irish football delegates passed a motion on a majority 74/7 at a November Egm request Uefa to ban Israeli international and club teams from all European competitions.

The resolution passed cited violations by Israel’s FA of two provisions of UEFA statutes: failure to implement and enforce an effective antiracism policy and the playing by Israeli clubs in occupied Palestinian territory without the consent of the Palestinian FA.

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

A UN Commission of Inquiry report found that said Israel had committed genocide during the war in Gaza and the motion highlighted two breaches of Uefa laws that Israel dispute.

Uefa have been reluctant to act despite speculation of impending sanctions.

That a ceasefire was brokered left it up to individual associations to engineer any desired form of protest when drawn to face Israel teams at any level.

The Turkish and Norwegian soccer governing bodies called for Israel to be suspended from international competition too.

FAI President Paul Cooke on Monday updated delegates on the UEFA response in December, which only reconfirmed that matches under their auspices are no longer staged on Israel soil.

Tellingly, they highlighted a commitment to "fairness, integrity and equal treatment across all (55) member associations".

His email to the general assembly read: “UEFA acknowledged receipt (November 27) subsequently responded by letter (December 16).

“In that response, UEFA confirmed that the matter has been duly noted, they also referred to an earlier decision of the Uefa Executive Committee of October 19 such that no Uefa competition matches shall be played on the territory of Israel until further notice, citing safety and security considerations.

“Uefa have also stated that the situation continues to be closely monitored on an ongoing basis.

“In relation to the question of suspension or exclusion of member associations, Uefa referred to the existing provisions of its Statutes, specifically Article 9 (suspension) and Article 8 paragraph 3 (exclusion), noting that these articles provide the legal and procedural framework for such decisions, which are considered on a case-by-case basis.

“Uefa also reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, integrity and equal treatment across all member associations.

“Members will be kept informed should there be any further engagement or developments with Uefa.”