Sinn Féin call on Government to cover financial cost of any FAI Israel boycott

A steward collects tennis balls thrown on the pitch in protest by fans during Ireland v Qatar at Aviva Stadium. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Sinn Féin intend bringing forward a Dáil motion compelling the Government to cover any financial penalty the FAI incur for boycotting the fixtures against Israel.

The motion highlights that Fifa and Uefa banned Russia in 2022 in response to the decision of the football associations of Czechia, Poland and Sweden to refuse to play Russia in international competition.

No action was taken by Fifa or UEFA against these associations for refusing to play Russia, thus setting a clear legal and moral precedent.

Within minutes of the Uefa Nations League draw in February that grouped Ireland with Israel – alongside Austria and Kosovo – the FAI insisted they would fulfil the games on September 28 and October 4.

Ireland’s away game will be on neutral ground, likely Debrecen in Hungary, but they insist An Garda Síochána have given the green light for the Lansdowne Road fixture despite the inevitable protests expected.

The Government has deferred the matter to the FAI, although both sports ministers last week confirmed they wouldn’t attend any meeting with Israel.

Thursday’s friendly win over Qatar at the same venue was interrupted three times by a barrage of tennis balls, emblazoned with ‘stop the game’, getting fling onto the pitch.

Among the notes included in the motion are confirmation that Fifa’s statutes prohibit member associations and their clubs from playing on the territory of another member association without that association’s approval.

Israeli clubs based in illegal West Bank settlements continue to play under the IFA within the territory of the Palestinian Football Association, without the PFA’s consent and thus contrary to this rule.

Consequently, it states that Uefa, as a confederation, is obliged to comply with and enforce Fifa statutes and decisions.

Furthermore, at least 1008 athletes, players and sports officials have been killed in the genocide and close to 300 sports facilities in Gaza and the occupied West Bank have been destroyed by Israel.

At least 10 Israeli football clubs are located in occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of the ICJ advisory opinion of July 2024 and Article 64.2 of FIFA’s statute.

Israel’s policy of mandatory military service means team members – who Ireland’s players are due to face – may have fought with the IOF when war crimes were committed.

As the Dáil is in recess next week, the motion is due to be considered on Tuesday week, June 9.

In the meantime, the FAI board are reviewing a request by the necessary 10% of their general assembly members to convene an emergency general meeting with the sole agenda item of supporting a boycott.

Those behind the campaign admit any outcome of a ballot will be non-binding as only the FAI executive and board can rule on this matter.

Not only would the Irish team lose six points and six goals by forfeiting the games but their vital revenue stream of ticket sales would be badly hit.