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

Russia got banned across the sporting spectrum, not because Poland Sweden and Czechia FA but because of Political pressure from across the world. Notably from Washington. Russia are a parish state, a long time enemy of the USA, Israel havent because they are a long time ally of USA.

Its not difficult to figure out why Russia got banned across the board, almost instantly. And it had nothing to do with a few football associations in Europe

If protests work, why did not one Association around UEFA step up and support the FAI in their motion to ban Israel from UEFA competition?

The cynic in me reckons it was because of who is co-hosting the world cup 8 months later. And we all saw how Infantino fawned over DJT at the draw not so long ago. So its clear to me the decisions are 100% political and have nothing to do with sporting organisations.

Again, you are making false assumptions and accusations

I am an Irish football fan and have been made redundant twice before. Ive already outlined the FAI financial position and why I believe a boycott of the games has major financial implications for them and their employees. And on that basis I UNDERSTAND that the FAI have to play the games.

Just because I understand the FAI position and the real life consequences for the loss of significant income does not equate to support for Israel, the Israeli state, whatever is happening in Palestine or support Israel taking part in football matches.

Its not my fault if people are too fcuking stupid to understand that supporting the FAI position does not equate to supporting Israel or the Israeli state.

The government have given no indication they will bail out the FAI on this. Everything we have heard is full support from the politicians that the game goes ahead in Dublin.

Now maybe that changes because Ireland are not going to the world cup so there is not so much political pressure coming from DC.

But if the FAI were to boycott it, they would in all likelihood have already made that decision after consultation with the government, but the very opposite appears the case.

You dont have a solution. TV contracts are signed, fixtures are set.

We don't know if there would be any sporting sanctions. That would be guess work. Norway made some noises about Israel last autumn but ultimately played the games. Guess we will never know if UEFA had a word on the QT to ensure the games were played and to make Norway FA aware of consequences, sporting or otherwise.

What we do know for sure are the financial implications for the FAI and its hard to see beyond a financial penalty for failure to fulfil fixtures as the TV contracts, worth 100s of millions, are all in place until 2028 as far as I can see.