FAI Passes Resolution Calling for European Football Ban on Israeli Teams
The Football Association of Ireland has given the green light to present a official proposal to European football's governing body, calling for the exclusion of Israeli football from all European team and national tournaments.
Basis of the Proposed Suspension
The resolution, which was proposed by Dublin club Bohemians, highlighted claimed breaches by the Israel Football Association of two important European football regulations.
- Failure to apply and uphold an proper policy against racism.
- Organisation of football teams in occupied Palestinian territories lacking the approval of the Palestrian FA.
Vote Outcome and Future Actions
According to an official statement from the Irish FA, the proposal was backed by 74 votes, with seven against and 2 not voting.
The association plans to formally submit this motion to the UEFA's decision-making body, asking for the immediate suspension of the IFA from European tournaments.
During a special assembly of the FAI, an standard motion was posed to delegates. It was approved by a majority.
Earlier Uefa Considerations
The European body had earlier put on hold intentions to ban Israel at the close of last month, following the revealing of a US peace proposal for the area.
Although they never publicly stated considering an special session on the matter, plans were understood to be well developed.
International Backdrop
The FAI move follows similar calls in last autumn from the leaders of both Turkey and Norway's football associations for Israel's suspension from global football.
Those requests were issued after United Nations experts asked world and European football bodies to ban Israel, citing a UN investigation that accused Israel of committing genocide during the Gaza conflict.
Israel has rejected these claims and labeled the findings as scandalous.
Possible Consequences
If European football's authority decide to suspend Israel, it would likely create tension with the United States government – joint hosts for the upcoming World Cup – which strongly opposes such an action.
Although the European body has the authority to suspend Israeli teams from its tournaments, it may not be able to prevent them from competing in World Cup qualifiers, which falls under world football's governing body.