FAI condemns 'intimidation and harrassment' after Israel vote

The association said that the alleged targeting of 'FAI staff, board members, general assembly members' is 'unacceptable'

At a recent FAI EGM, a motion to fulfil the Nations League fixtures against Israel passed 75 votes to 32. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

The FAI have branded as unacceptable “acts of intimidation and harassment directed towards staff, board members and general assembly members” following last month’s vote to proceed with the games against Israel.

At an emergency general meeting called by the board to ‘endorse the association fulfilling its obligations in respect of those fixtures’, the motion passed by 75 votes to 32, translating to a 68% majority.

The Stop The Game campaign, which was behind the tennis ball protest that disrupted the men’s friendly against Qatar in May, is determined to prevent the Nations League games on September 28 and October 4 proceeding.

That the FAI reacted to the Lansdowne Road protest by switching their home game against Israel out of the stadium to the neutral territory of Bačka Topola in Serbia has only served to embolden the movement.

Their latest protest took place on Friday at Government buildings, which includes the department of the Taoiseach.

Last year’s motion by Irish football, led by the membership, to seek Israel’s suspension on grounds of statute violations was ignored by Uefa.

Senior men’s team manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has also questioned publicly why a different standard was applied by Fifa and Uefa to Russia, who remain barred from all competitive football in the world arising from their invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A United Nations report found that Israel is overseeing a genocidal regime in Gaza.

The FAI addressed their concerns within a newsletter circular to their 138 general assembly members.

“The board of the FAI would like to thank you for your engagement at the recent FAI EGM, where there was a respectful debate and vote on fulfilling our 2026-27 UEFA Nations League fixtures,” it began.

“The power of a collective voice from our members should never be underestimated, as we all have an important role to play in the development and future of Irish football. Ireland has a proud history of using its voice to highlight humanitarian issues, and we recognise the strength of feeling that exists around these issues.

“We hope that concerns can continue to be expressed peacefully, respectfully and with humanity, in a way that reflects the best values of Irish football and society.

“However, recent acts of intimidation and harassment directed towards FAI staff, Board members, General Assembly members, volunteers and the wider football community are unacceptable and seek to undermine Irish football.

“It is therefore imperative that we stand together, support one another, challenge inappropriate behaviour and do what is right for the benefit of our game in communities across the country.”