Republic of Ireland v Israel: FAI unclear over possible sanctions if game was not played

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.

The players did not shake hands with each other and the Republic of Ireland squad bowed their heads when Israel’s anthem was played before their 3-0 win in Hungary.

The two Nations League fixtures, being played at neutral venues, have been embroiled in controversy since February when the two teams were drawn to play each other in Group B3.

The Republic of Ireland players have faced calls to withdraw from the games because of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war with a “Stop The Game” campaign – organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine – gathering pace.

There was also no exchange of pennants between Republic of Ireland captain Dara O’Shea and Israel skipper Manor Solomon, who did not shake hands.

Cooke added that along with standard punishments for not fulfilling a fixture, there was were also possible “undetermined” extras.

“No,” he told RTE Sport when asked is Uefa threatened additional sanctions if one or both of the matches were not fulfilled.

“The rules are clear. It specifies if we don’t fulfil the fixtures what the sanctions are and then there’s reference to other sanctions undetermined.

“I think it depends on Uefa and what sanctions they levy on somebody as a result of it. We saw a recent thing in England and Southampton, the levies that were levied on them [expelled from the English Championship play-offs after admitting spying on opponents].”