FAI to submit motion to ban Israel from all UEFA competition

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has voted to submit a motion to ban Israel from all UEFA competitions.

The proposal for the vote cited two UEFA statutes repeatedly breached by the Israel Football Association (IFA): clubs playing on occupied Palestinian land without the consent of the Palestinian FA; and IFA's lack of enforcement of an effective anti-racism policy.

Daniel Lambert, Bohemian FC Chief Operating Officer and KNEECAP manager, was behind the proposal.

Speaking to RTÈ, Lambert said the proposal also brings attention to "the absolute failure" of UEFA to address continued instances of racism by Israeli teams.

He said the racist incidents have been highlighted by multiple Israeli and international NGOs, "so it's not something that people are commenting on without knowledge."

"It flies in the face of logic that one association, in a game governed by rules, can breach UEFA statutes with no measures taken against them, or with no roadmap to take any action," Lambert said.

"We've asked the FAI to instruct the UEFA Executive Committee to take action against the Israeli FA under the statutes. They should be excluded from competitions, that's what we're hoping will happen."

The campaign for Israel to be banned was backed by clubs including Bohemian FC, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, Cork City, as well as the players’ union (PFAI), fan groups, student leagues and more.

The vote was put to the FAI's General Assembly this afternoon in Dublin. It passed by a majority of 74 votes in favour, with seven against and two abstentions.

Along with submitting the motion — which, if passed, would suspend Israel from participating in any European club and international competitions — the FAI vote also called on UEFA to publish criteria for the suspension or exclusions of its associations. "to ensure equal treatment of all members."

In a statement posted on Instagram, Bohemian FC and Irish Sport For Palestine praised the vote as a "show of unity."

"Israel's genocide in Gaza has killed 344 footballers - more than the full squads of our premier division combined," the statement read.

"At least ten children from the Gaza Football Academy have also been murdered. No country should be above the rules and statutes of UEFA."

 

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U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham posted on X in response to the FAI vote, threatening Ireland and anyone who follows suit will "pay a heavy price" for attempting what he claimed is an "attack against Israel."

"If these attacks against Israel continue, I will do everything in my power to make those who participate in this effort to marginalize Israel in sports, and elsewhere, pay a heavy price when it comes to access to the American economy," Graham said.

Graham has received over $1 million (€865,651) from pro-Israel lobbyist groups.

It is my understanding Ireland is about to make a motion to the European body governing soccer to ban Israel from playing in European soccer tournaments.

Ireland and others would be punishing the Jewish people 80 years after the Holocaust because they choose to fight back…

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 8, 2025

The FAI vote follows similar calls by football associations in Spain, Norway and Turkey.

In September, an open letter demanding Israel's suspension was signed by 50 professional athletes.

Signatories of "Athletes4Peace" letter included Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure, former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson and former Ireland national team member Cyrus Christie.

A group of United Nations experts also appealed to UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel from international football, citing a UN Commission report which said Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Last month, UEFA considered voting on Israel's participation in European competitions. However, discussions about a potential ban were abandoned after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10.