FAI Members Approve Motion Against Israel

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has overwhelmingly backed a resolution instructing its board to formally request Israel’s suspension from UEFA competitions, citing serious violations of football governance rules.

The motion, approved on Saturday by 74 votes in favor, seven against, and two abstentions, urges UEFA to immediately suspend Israel’s national and club teams from European competitions. The FAI cited two key breaches of UEFA statutes:

1. Failure to implement and enforce effective antiracism policies
2. Allowing Israeli clubs to play in occupied Palestinian territories without consent from the Palestinian Football Association (PFA)

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Context: Calls for Suspension Following Gaza War

The Irish resolution follows international appeals from the heads of Turkish and Norwegian football associations, as well as UN experts, who urged FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel after a UN Commission of Inquiry reported genocide in Gaza.

UEFA had previously considered a vote on suspension last month, but it did not occur after a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025. The issue remains contentious, reflecting ongoing debates about sports governance, human rights, and international law.

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Impact on Palestinian Football

The FAI and legal experts highlighted the devastating impact of Israel’s military offensive on Palestinian footballers and infrastructure. Key figures include:

• At least 421 Palestinian footballers killed since October 2023
• Systematic destruction of football stadiums, training facilities, and youth academies
• Inclusion of clubs from illegal settlements in domestic competitions, violating FIFA and UEFA statutes

“Israel is allowed to operate with total impunity,” said Abdullah Al-Arian, associate professor of history at Georgetown University in Qatar. “Sporting bodies mirror broader power politics. Israel has not been held accountable for decades, and this is just one extension of that impunity.”

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FIFA and UEFA Responses

FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously described the situation as a “geopolitical issue” at the FIFA Council on October 2, emphasizing football’s unifying role rather than imposing sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has formally requested FIFA to adopt appropriate sanctions, including an international ban on Israel’s teams. FIFA delegated the matter to its disciplinary committee, which observers, including Al-Arian, view as a bureaucratic delay rather than decisive action.

“Ultimately, it’s a political decision being made at the highest levels of the organisation,” Al-Arian said.

The FAI’s resolution signals growing pressure on UEFA and FIFA to address violations in occupied Palestinian territories, aligning football governance with international human rights obligations.

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Public Demonstrations and Advocacy

Support for Israel’s suspension has also been visible on the streets. Demonstrators in Dublin and other cities have carried placards calling for Israel to be banned from both UEFA and FIFA competitions, highlighting widespread concern among football fans and civil society groups.

Legal experts and activists argue that international football bodies cannot ignore systemic violations, as continued participation of Israeli clubs in occupied territories undermines both sporting integrity and human rights standards.