Baltic boycotts expose holes in FAI case for playing Israel

Between 2024 and May of this year, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia opted out of competitive fixtures when drawn against Belarus in qualifiers. Their punishments were 3-0 defeats and, in one case, a small fine of €5,000. That seems a small price to pay for taking a stand.

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin 7/8/2026 Shamrock Rovers vs Dundalk Rovers' fans with a ‘Stop The Game’ banner Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

In their seven-page sales pitch to members seeking support to proceed with the Israel fixtures, the FAI stressed that none of Uefa’s 55 members had boycotted matches against the country found to have committed genocide.

That doesn’t mean that members haven’t forfeited fixtures against opponents on grounds of principle.