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The Football Association of Ireland’s (FAI) general assembly has backed a proposal by the Republic of Ireland to go ahead with their upcoming Nations League match against Israel.
The motion was passed at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, by 75 votes to 32 by 114 members present in three absences.
The resolution put forward by the FAI states: “While acknowledging the strength of the sentiment of support for Palestine and the upcoming UEFA Men’s Nations League fixtures, members recognize the profound impact that non-completion of UEFA matches will have on Irish football and its future development, and support the Association in meeting its obligations accordingly.”
The EGM began when more than 10% of FAI members opposed playing Nations League games, but the outcome of the meeting was not binding on the FAI executive.
In a statement on Wednesday, the FAI said the passing of the motion “provides support for the FAI Board to continue to make decisions in the interests of Irish football”.
“The Association understands and respects the views expressed by its members as well as players and staff, supporters, promoters, members of the public and the Irish football community regarding the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League match between Ireland and Israel,” the statement continued.
“The association will continue to engage with various stakeholders and support the Ireland squad for its upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign.”
The FAI previously said that boycotting the autumn game against Israel would lead to “significant and lasting harm” to Irish football, as well as potential losses. 10.3m Euros (£9m).
After the Nations League draw in February, the FAI confirmed it would fill the matches, with chief executive David Correll saying the governing body had “no choice” and could face “serious consequences” if it pulled out of the games.
Pressure is growing in the Republic of Ireland to boycott the games.
Protesters were outside the Aviva on Wednesday as the EGM took place, while there were also protests outside the Dáil (Irish parliament) earlier this year.
May’s friendship with Qatar was twice disrupted when a tennis ball bearing a Palestinian flag was thrown onto the field.
A ‘Stop the Game’ campaign has also been launched by the group Irish Sport for Palestine.
Both matches against Israel are scheduled to be played at neutral venues later this year.
Hungary’s Debrecen will host Israel’s home game on October 27 while the Republic of Ireland’s home match will be played behind closed doors in Serbia’s Baca Topola on October 4 after UEFA approved a request from the FAI due to “operational issues” at the venue in Dublin.
On October 7, 2023, the Israeli military launched an operation in Gaza in response to an unprecedented Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 73,035 people, including more than 21,280 children, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are seen as reliable by the United Nations.
