FAI Approves Resolution Calling for European Football Ban on Israeli Teams
The Football Association of Ireland has given the green light to submit a official proposal to Uefa, calling for the exclusion of Israel from continental club and international tournaments.
Grounds for the Proposed Ban
This motion, that had been put forward by Dublin club Bohemians, cited claimed violations by the IFA of a couple of key European football regulations.
- Failure to apply and uphold an proper anti-racism policy.
- Organisation of clubs in occupied Palestinian territories lacking the approval of the Palestinian Football Association.
Vote Outcome and Future Actions
As stated in an official statement from the FAI, the proposal was supported by 74 votes, with seven against and 2 abstentions.
The association plans to formally submit this request to the Uefa executive committee, seeking the prompt ban of the Israel Football Association from Uefa competitions.
During a special assembly of the Football Association of Ireland, an standard motion was put to delegates. It passed by a large margin.
Previous European Considerations
The European body had previously put on hold intentions to ban Israeli football at the close of last month, following the announcement of Donald Trump's proposed peace plan for the area.
Although Uefa never publicly stated contemplating an extraordinary meeting on the issue, preparations were believed to be quite advanced.
Global Context
The FAI move follows similar demands in last autumn from the heads of Turkish and Norwegian governing bodies for banning Israel from global football.
Those requests were made after United Nations experts asked world and European football bodies to suspend Israel, referencing a UN investigation that claimed Israel of acts of genocide during the Gaza conflict.
Israel has rejected these allegations and described the findings as outrageous.
Possible Consequences
Should Uefa decide to ban the IFA, it would probably create tension with the US administration – joint hosts for the upcoming World Cup – which is firmly against such an measure.
Although the European body has the power to suspend Israeli teams from its tournaments, it might not be able to prevent them from taking part in World Cup qualifiers, which is governed by world football's governing body.
