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

UEFA/FIFA bend and yield to political pressure, we know this because they have admitted to this.

More political pressure can and will be applied between now and these fixtures in the Autumn.

The FAI raised concerns through the correct channels and are respecting the outcome.

I never said the games would pass off with a "nothing to see here" attitude.

Please stop posting stuff about me that you are making up in your own head.

Have you any evidence of that or have you just invented that idea?

It’s a fact, not an opinion that Israel are in contravention of UEFA’s regulations and that UEFA don’t always enforce their own regulations, sometimes they only enforce their regulations under political pressure. They have admitted to that fact themselves.

I think we should be doing everything possible to make the right thing happen here, don’t you?

And who do those in position to apply enough said pressure support? Oh look, Israel.

Now maybe other associations didnt put their hand up before the world cup to prevent issues in the USA (because Trump is a vindictive dangerous idiot) this summer and may change post world cup.

And the FAI tried. And failed to garner any support.

So why do you think that is? I would say self interest from the other associations was the main factor. Not biting the hand that feeds them.

I never said regulations are facts. I said it’s a fact that Israel FA are in contravention of UEFA’s regulations and that UEFA are failing to apply their own regulations by banning Israel from international competitions.

This is a cut and dried case but we know that UEFA are weak on these matters and tend to take the easy road as opposed to the principled approach and respond to political pressure. They have told us this.

So can we apply the right amount of pressure to get them to do the right thing and abide by their own regulations. Let the debate begin, this hasn’t even started yet.

Well that's a bit of a summation on your part. It hasn't been said that the FAI even looked into appealing the decision.

I disagree strongly Paddy and I doubt I'm alone in that and I'm not talking about "jeopardising" anyone's livelihood. I do think as a country we should be trying to do the right thing here and holding UEFA's feet to the fire where possible in an attempt to pressure them into abiding by their own regulations.

Some effort on here from a few posters to find ways of not doing the right thing here and meekly accepting the UEFA cowardly decision in failing to abide by and enforce their own regulations in this matter. Out there in the real world of Irish soccer there was overwhelming support to call for a ban on Israel. 74 votes for 7 against a landslide vote for the motion calling for a ban on Israel participation in international football. Seems to be forgotten on here by a few posters on this site for some odd reason?

The motion was rejected by UEFA in a cowardly fashion failing to implement their own regulations but then came a Nations League draw which pitted us against Israel.

That has put the issue back into the public frame. If UEFA were smart they would have found a way to keep us and Israel apart. They may live to regret that decision.

P.S. CAS has a 21 day deadline for appeals. That deadline passed a long time ago.

74 votes to 7 but more importantly However Only 1 association out of 55 raised it with UEFA. Nobody else stuck their hand up. So by your logic there was an overwhelming landslide of support to not ban Israel from the UEFA affiliated football associations.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1230674111873701&vanity=offtheball

And i wonder why that was? Maybe because UEFA pay the bills. It all comes back to the reality of money. UEFA have it, the football associations do not.

No to the above.

But I don't understand the point of the questions.

When placings sanctions on Russia for example, AerCap was left about €700 million worse off. Some Finnish companies suffered especially badly - Nokian Tyres shed about 700 jobs. It's no secret that sanctions or other actions against injustice can cost money and jobs. Those costs don't make it the wrong thing to do.

Would it be horrible for FAI employees if some lost their jobs? Absolutely.

Would that alone make it the wrong action to take? No.

To put it another way, if some billionaire such as Denis O Brien announced that he'd cover every cent lost as a result of refusing to play the games, would you then change your mind?