The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has taken a bold and controversial step, joining a chorus of voices across Europe calling for Israel to be banned from European football competitions. Over the weekend, the FAI approved a motion to submit a formal resolution to UEFA, urging the immediate suspension of Israeli clubs and the national team from all European club and international tournaments. This move, which has sparked heated debate in football circles and beyond, reflects growing unease among UEFA member nations regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza and the broader implications for the sport’s integrity.
The resolution, proposed by Dublin’s Bohemians Football Club and co-signed by Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, Cork City, PFA Ireland, supporter groups, and student leagues, was passed with a decisive majority: 74 delegates voted in favor, seven against, and two abstained. The FAI’s statement, released shortly after the vote, made its position clear: "[The FAI will] submit a formal motion to the UEFA executive committee requesting the immediate suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions due to its violation of two independent provisions of the UEFA statutes."
The heart of the Irish motion centers on two primary accusations against the Israel Football Association (IFA). First, it alleges that the IFA has failed to implement and enforce an anti-racism policy, a core requirement under UEFA’s rules. Second, it claims that Israeli settler clubs are being organized in occupied Palestinian territories—specifically the West Bank—and allowed to play in Israel’s domestic leagues without the consent of the Palestinian Football Association. According to Bohemians, "No country should be above the rules and statutes of UEFA – Israel must be held to account." The club’s statement further asserted that "Israel’s genocide in Gaza has killed 344 footballers – more than the full squads of the League of Ireland Premier Division combined. At least 10 children from the Gaza Football Academy have also been murdered."
This Irish initiative is not happening in isolation. Similar calls have emerged from other UEFA member nations, including Norway and Turkey, both of which have pointed to a United Nations Commission of Inquiry report that concluded Israel had committed genocide during its recent war on Gaza. The pressure is mounting on UEFA to act, with the Irish resolution serving as the latest—and perhaps most prominent—push for disciplinary action.
The timing of Ireland’s move is particularly significant. Just two months ago, UEFA’s executive committee was expected to debate whether the IFA should face a member vote to determine its continued participation in European competitions. However, with the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, the committee opted for a wait-and-see approach, postponing any formal discussion. According to media reports, an extraordinary executive committee meeting had been imminent before the ceasefire plan, which was brokered by US President Donald Trump, put the brakes on immediate action.
Despite the postponement, the discomfort among UEFA member nations has not dissipated. Both Italy and Norway have publicly indicated their reluctance to host Israeli national team matches for World Cup qualifiers, a stance that underscores the growing unease across European football. Yet, as things stand, Israel remains a UEFA member, and its teams are still eligible for European competitions—at least for now.
The FAI’s president, Paul Cooke, addressed the practical implications of the current situation. He stated, "Straight off the bat, we would play them, provided it was part of a UEFA competition, we are members of UEFA." This position highlights the complex balance between moral objections and organizational obligations. While the FAI is pushing for Israel’s suspension, it acknowledges that, as long as Israel remains a UEFA member, official fixtures must be fulfilled.
Meanwhile, the wider football community continues to grapple with the ethical and political ramifications of the conflict in Gaza. In August, UEFA made a powerful, if indirect, statement at the European Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur by unfurling a giant pitch banner reading, "Stop killing children, stop killing civilians." While the message did not mention any nation by name, its target was widely interpreted as both Israel and Russia—two countries facing international scrutiny over their military actions.
The intersection of sport and politics has rarely been more pronounced. Ireland’s resolution has put UEFA in a difficult position, especially with the United States set to co-host the 2026 World Cup. Any move to suspend Israel from European competitions would likely bring UEFA into conflict with FIFA, as a European ban would not prevent Israel from participating in World Cup qualifiers, which are governed by FIFA rather than UEFA. This potential clash between football’s governing bodies adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught situation.
Scotland’s women’s national team has also been drawn into the controversy. Following the recent UEFA Nations League draw, which placed Scotland and Israel in the same group, the Scottish women’s team called for a boycott of their fixtures against Israel. However, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) rejected the boycott, citing UEFA membership obligations. In a statement, the SFA said it is "acutely aware of the suffering and devastation experienced in Gaza," acknowledging the moral urgency expressed by supporters, campaigners, and civic society. Yet, the SFA explained, as a UEFA member, it does not have "discretion to choose who they will or will not play against, which is why we are obliged to fulfil our fixtures. Indeed, to refuse to play would forfeit both matches and negatively impact the prospects of our women’s national team." The SFA did note, however, that individual players retain the right to opt out of selection on moral grounds.
Looking ahead, Israel’s immediate football future remains uncertain. The national team cannot qualify for the upcoming World Cup and has just one fixture left to play—against Moldova next weekend. While the outcome of that match may be of little consequence in sporting terms, the broader political and ethical debates swirling around Israel’s participation in European football show no signs of abating.
As the FAI prepares to submit its formal motion to UEFA’s executive committee, all eyes are on Europe’s football authorities. Will UEFA heed the growing calls for action, or will it continue to tread carefully amid ongoing geopolitical tensions? For now, the issue remains unresolved, but one thing is clear: the intersection of football and politics has never felt more immediate—or more consequential—for the beautiful game.
