🔗 Share this article FAI Passes Resolution Urging European Football Ban on Israeli Teams The Football Association of Ireland has voted in favor to submit a formal motion to Uefa, demanding the exclusion of Israeli football from continental team and national competitions. Grounds for the Proposed Suspension This motion, that had been proposed by Dublin club Bohemians, cited alleged breaches by the Israel Football Association of a couple of important European football regulations. Inability to apply and uphold an effective anti-racism policy. Organisation of football teams in disputed territories lacking the consent of the Palestinian Football Association. Ballot Results and Next Steps According to an announcement from the Irish FA, the resolution was backed by 74 votes, with seven opposed and two not voting. The association plans to formally submit this request to the Uefa executive committee, asking for the prompt ban of the Israel Football Association from Uefa competitions. During a special assembly of the Football Association of Ireland, an ordinary resolution was posed to members. It passed by a large margin. Earlier European Considerations Uefa had previously put on hold plans to exclude Israel at the close of last month, following the revealing of a US peace proposal for the area. While Uefa never officially confirmed considering an special session on the issue, preparations were believed to be quite advanced. International Backdrop The FAI move comes after comparable demands in September from the heads of Turkish and Norwegian governing bodies for banning Israel from global football. Those requests were issued after UN specialists asked Fifa and Uefa to ban Israel, referencing a UN commission of inquiry report that claimed the country of committing genocide during the war in Gaza. The Israeli government has denied these allegations and labeled the report as outrageous. Potential Consequences Should Uefa decide to ban Israel, it would probably strain relations with the United States government – joint hosts for the 2026 World Cup – which is firmly against such an measure. Although Uefa has the authority to exclude Israeli teams from European competitions, it might not be able to stop them from competing in World Cup qualifiers, which falls under Fifa.