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

As I said to another poster, we in Ireland have set the precedent under Article 65 with Derry City:

"Associations, leagues or clubs that are affiliated to a member association may only join another member association or take part in competitions on that member association’s territory under exceptional circumstances."

The Nations League is taking place under the jurisdiction of UEFA, a separate organisation, not FIFA. FIFA would not be imposing sanctions on us, UEFA would.

Any lawyer worth their name will be able to tell the FAI that they don't have a chance refuting the charges if they don't play, and that the UEFA money will be gone, and we could also get a ban affecting clubs as well as the national team.

UEFA is a confederation recognised by FIFA and acting under it's statutes. FIFA 'own' the game, UEFA just provides governance and facilitates competitions in Europe. UEFA kicked the decision-making on 3rd party hosting to FIFA to resolve back in September 2025 so they have already agreed to abide by FIFA's decision. FIFA deciding that it's now a UEFA issue simply won't wash.

I do get it. UEFA allowing Israel to play football on occupied Palestinian territory is a breach of FIFA statutes. Israel not having an anti-racism policy is also in breach of FIFA statutes. If there is a dispute between UEFA member associations and UEFA's own dispute resolution mechanisms are not sufficient to resolve a dispute then FIFA's governance is in question. What is needed here is for the FAI to lobby all of the other associations for clarity and support in light of a blatant hypocrisy on behalf of FIFA and UEFA together.

Everything else is just noise.

Norway and Turkey supported the FAI without any lobbying.

It's in the FAI's interest to seek support on banning Israel as it adds weight to our stance on pushing for their disqualification from UEFA.

People seem to be misunderstanding how sports disciplinary processes work. It's not a popularity contest and countries dont vote on whether or not to take action.

FIFA/UEFA operate a rules based system. Either Israel has broken rules or it hasnt. This is determined by a investigative/disciplinary process - not a vote of members. It does matter if every country votes to suspend Israel - they can only be suspended if a rules transgression is proven at a disciplinary process.

Above all this is CAS - so if FIFA/UEFA has made a wrong decision or not followed their own process, the decision will be overturned by CAS e.g. a vote to suspend would 100% be overturned by CAS. The option of taking FIFA/UEFA to CAS is also open to member Federations (it appears all, including the FAI have accepted whatever decision UEFA has made.).

CAS is very legalustic and anally rules based - would have no interest in emotional "genocide in Gaza" arguments. It will be a case of "what rule is alleged to have been broken...... please provide the proof".

Where is yiur proof that the Israeli Football Association did what your ckaiming?

There isnt any and thats not the reason they are suspended. There's a CAS ruling on it you should read.

Yep. Thats why in all the pages of demanding a boycott there hasn't been a single valid reason other than childish tantrum that would make Ireland into a laughing stock.

That cant be admitted.

You just repeating things doesn't make them true either.

While that is true, given the posting history in defense of Israel by some contributors here it's not a stretch to suggest this is precisely there reason for being against a ban. Of course they will never admit to it.