FAI explains Ireland’s decision to fulfil Israel Nations League fixture | OneFootball

The Football Association of Ireland set out the legal and sporting pressures behind playing Israel in the Nations League, with president Paul Cooke saying they were wary of severe repercussions from UEFA if Ireland refused to fulfil the fixture.

"No. The rules are clear. It specifies if we don't fulfil the fixtures what the sanctions are and then there's reference to other sanctions undetermined," he told RTE Sport.

Ireland won 3-0 on Sunday in Debrecen after the tie was moved to a neutral venue in Hungary amid public pressure and calls to withdraw linked to the conflict in Gaza. Players did not shake hands, bowed their heads during Israel's anthem and there was no pennant exchange between Dara O'Shea and Manor Solomon.

The match had been in doubt during internal discussions about the ethics of playing. A vote among the playing staff produced a significant majority to go ahead.

The FAI also faced criticism from advocacy groups such as Irish Sport for Palestine and its Stop The Game campaign. The association had already urged UEFA in November to expel Israel, and progress remains pending, "Their response was that they'd consider it and they're still considering it." Cooke said he had consulted Austria and Kosovo, "I've certainly spoken to the other countries in our group and they reaffirmed their decisions to play the games." The teams are due to meet again on October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia, at a neutral venue.

Source: Goal.com

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