Socialist Republicans Climb On FAI Headquarters To Stop The Game
Socialist republicans from Éirígí have scaled the headquarters of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in Abbotstown, North Dublin this morning, revealing a banner that reads ‘FAI Cowards - Stop The Game!’
Socialist republicans from Éirígí have scaled the headquarters of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in Abbotstown, North Dublin this morning, revealing a banner that reads ‘FAI Cowards - Stop The Game!’, in protest at the organisations decision to fulfil two UEFA Nations League fixtures against Apartheid Israel this coming September and October, and so, we reprint their statement here.
In November last year, the FAI submitted a motion to UEFA to ban Apartheid Israel from its European club and international competitions. The vote, proposed by Bohemian FC, was put to the FAI's General Assembly at an EGM, with it citing two violations of UEFA statutes by the Apartheid Israel Football Association (AIFA), these being organising clubs in occupied Palestinian territories without the consent of the Palestinian FA; and the failure of the AIFA to enforce an effective anti-racism policy.
The motion required support from 50% of FAI delegates to pass. It passed by a significant majority, with 74 votes in favour, seven against and two abstentions. The FAI have now effectively reneged on this position, with 68% of delegates at Wednesday evening's EGM voting against boycotting these fixtures, effectively endorsing the sports washing agenda of Apartheid Israel.
A significant portion of those who voted against boycotting these games have cited the possibility of punishment from UEFA as the motivating factor behind their decision. UEFA is the same body which was quick to expel Russia from participation in international competitions following its illegal invasion of Ukraine, yet it still enthusiastically backs the membership and participation of Apartheid Israel in its events. This is despite Apartheid Israel being engaged in a vicious campaign of genocide against the people of Palestine, which has included the murders of nearly 900 athletes, a significant portion of which were football players.
The FAI should disregard any UEFA threat to sanction it for the non-fulfilment of these fixtures, instead they should take this as an opportunity to stand against apartheid and genocide, exposing the hypocrisy of UEFA in doing so.
The international BDS Movement calls for a sporting boycott, as part of a wider cultural, academic and consumer boycott, against Apartheid Israel and it’s sports teams as,
“Israel has deliberately and systematically destroyed Palestinian stadiums and sports infrastructures and detained Palestinian players and athletes. It has restricted their freedom of movement, banning Palestinian athletes in the occupied West Bank from training with their counterparts in the Gaza Strip, and subjecting them to interrogations at checkpoints when traveling across the West Bank or abroad to take part in international competitions. Israeli forces have in the past deliberately targeted the feet of teenage Palestinian footballers with live ammunition.”
Irish sporting organisations must abide by these calls to boycott sports teams from Apartheid Israel, just as Irish sports teams in the past boycotted sports teams from Apartheid South Africa. All Irish sporting bodies must decline to participate in Apartheid Israel’s campaign of sports-washing. These bodies must be held to account if they choose to disregard these calls.
