Irish federation to call on UEFA to ban Israel

DUBLIN – Ireland’s Football Association (FAI) voted on Saturday to submit a formal motion to UEFA calling for Israel’s suspension from European football competitions, following a proposal led by Irish Premier Division club Bohemians.

The motion, which required backing from at least half of the FAI’s voting delegates, passed with a clear majority, according to an official statement released by the federation. The FAI cited two alleged breaches of UEFA statutes by the Israel Football Association (IFA): operating clubs in occupied Palestinian territories without approval from the Palestinian Football Association, and failing to enforce effective anti-racism measures.

UEFA’s Executive Committee is scheduled to discuss the motion at its next meeting on December 3 in Nyon, Switzerland. The decision places additional scrutiny on UEFA, which paused a similar debate last month following a joint peace proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel, currently third in its World Cup qualifying group, will complete its campaign against Moldova on November 16. The team is already out of contention for automatic qualification or playoff spots for next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In its statement, the FAI urged UEFA to “publish transparent criteria for the suspension or exclusion of member associations to ensure equal treatment of all members,” calling for consistency in the application of disciplinary standards.

While FIFA’s Council has taken no disciplinary action against Israel, it has urged all parties to pursue peace and maintain the integrity of football as a unifying global sport. The FAI’s motion adds to growing political and sporting pressure on UEFA to clarify its stance on member associations operating amid prolonged conflicts.

If upheld, the proposal could mark a significant precedent in UEFA’s governance, testing how the body balances political neutrality with adherence to its own statutes and human rights commitments.