Republic of Ireland Manager Calls for Israel’s Ban from Competitions

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has urged both FIFA and UEFA to ban Israel from participating in their competitions, drawing parallels to the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Hallgrimsson expressed his views during a press conference at the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) headquarters, coinciding with the announcement of his 24-man squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Armenia.

“I don’t see a difference between FIFA and UEFA banning Russia and not Israel,” Hallgrimsson stated. He emphasized that his comments were personal and not representative of the FAI. “It is an absolute tragedy what is happening there. If FIFA and UEFA are banning one nation for the same reason, I don’t see the difference.”

The call for action comes as a significant portion of the FAI General Assembly, including clubs like Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers, seeks an emergency meeting to discuss Israel’s ongoing participation in both European club and international competitions. FAI president Paul Cooke confirmed that the issue will be debated at the association’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for November 8.

In light of findings from the United Nations independent international commission of inquiry, which concluded that Israel has committed acts amounting to genocide in Gaza, Cooke noted ongoing discussions with UEFA regarding Israel’s participation in competitions. He mentioned, “We have been in deep consultation with UEFA to seek clarification on their position on Israel’s participation.”

The Palestinian Football Association has reported that at least 437 Palestinian footballers have died due to Israeli attacks since early October. Amidst this backdrop, UEFA postponed a meeting this week that was intended to address the potential ban on Israel from European football. Theodore Theodoridis, UEFA’s general secretary, highlighted the distinction between the two conflicts, asserting that “Russia invaded Ukraine while Israel was attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023.”

On Wednesday, Amnesty International sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA, urging them to suspend the Israeli Football Association (IFA) from their tournaments until it excludes clubs based in illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary general, criticized the IFA for allowing these clubs to continue participating in its leagues. “It is nothing short of a disgrace that the IFA is still allowing clubs from these settlements to keep playing,” she stated.

Currently, there are at least six clubs based in settlements in the occupied territories that are competing in Israeli leagues, which is in violation of both international law and FIFA’s statutes. The growing international scrutiny and calls for action reflect the complex interplay of sports, politics, and human rights, as organizations and individuals grapple with the implications of these ongoing conflicts.

As the situation evolves, the response from FIFA and UEFA will be closely monitored, especially in light of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers where Israel is set to compete against Norway and Italy. The outcome of these discussions may have significant implications not only for the future of football in the region but also for the broader geopolitical landscape.