FAI admits unclear sanctions if Israel game skipped

Ireland played on despite calls to withdraw — and the FAI says nobody knew what skipping it would have cost.

Rep. Of Ireland

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What happened. Republic of Ireland could have faced 'undetermined' sanctions had they not played their Nations League match against Israel on Sunday, according to FAI president Paul Cooke. Ireland won 3-0 in Hungary, with no handshakes between the teams and the Irish squad bowing their heads during Israel's anthem.

• Cooke said Uefa's rules list standard punishments plus reference to 'other sanctions undetermined'.
• The 'Stop The Game' campaign, run by Irish Sport for Palestine, had urged players to withdraw.
• Captains Dara O'Shea and Manor Solomon did not exchange pennants or shake hands.

“It specifies if we don't fulfil the fixtures what the sanctions are and then there's reference to other sanctions undetermined.”

— FAI president Paul Cooke

The second Nations League fixture between the sides is still to come, with the FAI watching how Uefa handles any fallout.

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