Ireland vs Israel - To play or not to play, that is the question Read OP for Mod Warning

Based on FIFA Statutes (Article 64.2) and reflected in UEFA's regulatory framework, member associations and their clubs are prohibited from playing on the territory of another member association without the host association's explicit approval. This rule mandates territorial integrity in football, requiring permission for matches, with violations often linked to territorial disputes, such as Israeli clubs playing in the occupied West Bank. 

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/10/amnesty-fifa-uefa-suspend-israeli-football-association/

And the other FIFA and UEFA rule the Israeli FA have broken is the failure to enforce an anti-racist and anti-discrimination charter.

Dont know a lot about the specifics of this dispute, but the link says that Amesty International complained about it. AI is not a FIFA member and so cannot complain about this type of thing - it would be for the

Palestinian football association to raise a complaint via FIFA processes.

Google also says a complaint against FIFA was lodged with the ICC. Again, the ICC is not the world governing body for soccer.

While I dont know the details of this complaint, I do know that, from a legal perspective, the issue of national territorial jurisdiction in sport is a very dicey area. A National Governing Body in any sport cant stop other organisations holding events in their territory. They simply dont have the legal authority/power and its doubtful that any ruling made by a sports body to prevent it would survive a legal challenge.

Very true about the performative politics.

Ireland have been drawn against Israel in a formal competition, they have no choice, they have to play, or they could be thrown out of the competition.

Where Ireland has a choice, is with friendly opposition. If Ireland were to organise a friendly against Israel, or Russia, I would want it cancelled.

On May 28th this year, Ireland have chosen to play Qatar, one of the slave states of the Middle East.

https://cdn.walkfree.org/content/uploads/2023/09/28143221/GSI-Snapshot-Qatar.pdf

20,000 people living in modern slavery in Qatar, yet not a single voice has been raised in reaction to that match. The FAI have chosen to host Qatar, that is a much bigger scandal than being required to play against Israel.

I knew you or someone else would bring up SA. I am ready it was an outlier of that era. They were banned from the olympics banned by FIFA etc etc. The British commonwealth excluding the uk - in 1986 imposed sanctions

Yes absolutely though the oranges protest in 1987 was performative they never heard of south Africa until one them examined the oranges. These days it is now spun as an example of women empowerment /political awakening. Also back then the ONLY somewhat general world consensus of political boycotting was South Africa.

These days the dial has moved to to ridiculous levels mainly because of social media less effort required, but it is much easier to make noise. Now you might love a bit of performative boycotting. But it wasn't boycotting alone that ended apartheid it was ultimately physical force, and a national uprising against a white minority group that ended apartheid.

In answer to your question were the Dunne's women with the origins right or wrong in their actions? That is not my point whether they were right or wrong.

It was merely a symbolic gesture irregardless. And symbolic gestures are not the real changers in politics unless you go all the way to martyrdom for a cause.

That seems to work extremely well as it puts the other side in a quandary. If people are willing to take their lives for a cause. Killing them will only hurt the other side. Paidraig Pearse was smart enough to know that.

The oranges protest …..what exactly did it achieve? Ireland became the first western country to have a trade ban on fruit and vegetables with SA. To me that is optics at a government level not really making much difference on the ground. Also there is the fact that Ireland is a small country. The USA only disinvested with SA in 1986 I am sure that made a difference numbers wise - but that was a country (who had apartheid / Jim Crow laws) before SA invented the word ironically.

Around the time of the oranges protests the Irish rugby team still played SA by the way…..

It is mostly for show the last post you gave proves my point why? Because the person who gave your last post a like (the first one) thus far (6pm ish) has a Palestine flag icon. That to me is the nub of it social media has made it very easy to create the pretence of caring. I doubt that poster has any interest in the soccer itself?!! Any people with icons of foreign flags on social media are the ultimate pretence poseurs to me.

That ultimately is my point. Now I know you love performative politics the showy stuff. American's love that stuff. But to me it is 80% show and 20% sincerity. I hate the stuff. Load of bollocks and optics.

Social media is the real fire to it. People can jump on the band wagon they probably only know Coleen Rooney or Rebecca Vardy, or Posh Spice when it comes to anything remotely relevant to soccer. But sure if people feel good about themselves what harm you will say? But I will argue it is more that the "protesters" feel good about themselves rather then looking for any results in this day and age. I don't see sincerity I see agenda and pretence. Low effort high visibility.

If I got the sense people genuinely gave a shite, I would take your point. But I think it is more oh that crowd are doing it, I will join in….

The Ukraine flags only started appearing on social media - when Russia did a second invasion after the Crimea damn all before that for example.

If you ever see a foreign flag icon on my account I have been hacked - no Ukraine /Russia/Israel/Palestine/People's Republic of Cork for me whether I agree with their stance on the world or not. If Cork the real capital of Ireland or if Ukraine entitled to it's freedom.

Increasingly bizarre posts here! I think it's me you're talking about, so for the record I am an Ireland season ticket holder, for my sins

Fair enough but my general point still stands. To me someone putting up a Palestine flag as an icon on a social media site is just odd or any foreign flag. Israel or whatever. To me it is just bizarre. I realise a lot of republicans do it. There was more of those flags than Armagh flags when Dublin played them in the championship this year. One fella was making the point of holding up a big massive Palestinian flag, for ages blocking my view of the match. He lowered it in fairness the fella. But to me it is just extremely odd. If is not performative what is it?

Are you learning arabic converting to a religion or what ? Embedding in the culture? I would wonder the same thing if I saw an Irish fella with an Israel flag. What is he at ? Jewish does he speak yiddish or what?

That is why I think match should be played. Otherwise it only panders to the Celtic "Republican" types or the student union lefty types The flag waving and "look at me" stuff is just laughable to me to tell the truth. I don't see it as sincere at all. It is agenda lead or following the crowd looking for a cause - or a "gang" of sorts.