Irish FA unclear over possible sanctions for failing to play Israel fixture

The Irish FA remains unclear over the possible sanctions that could have faced the Republic of Ireland had it not played its Nations League match against Israel. Paul Cooke, the FAI president, said the team could have faced “undetermined” measures in addition to the standard sanctions for failing to fulfil a fixture.

The match, which Ireland won 3-0 in Hungary, was played without handshakes between the Irish and Israeli players. Members of the Irish squad also bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem. The Irish captain and Manor Solomon did not exchange pennants and did not shake hands.

The two Nations League meetings, staged at neutral venues, have been surrounded by controversy since the February draw placed the sides in Group B3. Irish players had been urged to withdraw from the matches through the “Stop The Game” campaign, led by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine, amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza war.

Cooke said the rules were explicit about the sanctions for failing to fulfil a fixture, but also referred to other undetermined sanctions. Asked whether Uefa had threatened additional sanctions if either, or both, of the matches were not played, he replied: “No.” He nevertheless said it would depend on the sanctions Uefa chose to impose in such a case.

There had been genuine doubt on Saturday morning over whether the match would go ahead. The players met at their hotel after goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew in protest, while several members of the squad voiced concerns about playing. The FAI then confirmed that a players’ vote, carried by a “significant majority”, endorsed taking part. The second match between the teams is due to be played on 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia.

Cooke praised the players and manager Heimir Hallgrimsson after the victory, while defending the FAI’s handling of the build-up to the controversial fixture. He said the association had consistently maintained that it would play, under a mandate from its members and board, and credited the courage of the players who took the field with fulfilling the first fixture.

The FAI president also addressed the letter his organisation sent to Uefa in November, proposing Israel’s exclusion from international and club competitions. According to Cooke, Uefa replied that it would consider the proposal and was still considering it. Cooke also said he had contacted the other two countries in the group, Austria and Kosovo, to ask whether they would support sanctions against Israel. He added that those associations had reaffirmed their decision to play the matches.