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The Football Association of Ireland has given the green light to present a official proposal to European football's governing body, calling for the exclusion of Israeli football from all European club and international tournaments.

Basis of the Proposed Ban

This motion, that had been proposed by Dublin club Bohemians, highlighted claimed violations by the IFA of a couple of important Uefa statutes.

• Inability to apply and uphold an effective policy against racism.
• Establishment of football teams in disputed territories lacking the consent of the Palestinian Football Association.

Ballot Results and Future Actions

As stated in an announcement from the FAI, the proposal was backed by 74 votes, with seven against and 2 not voting.

They plans to formally submit this request to the UEFA's decision-making body, seeking the immediate suspension of the IFA from European tournaments.

During a special assembly of the FAI, an ordinary resolution was put to members. It was approved by a large margin.

Earlier Uefa Considerations

Uefa had earlier put on hold intentions to ban Israeli football at the close of last month, following the announcement of a US peace proposal for the region.

While they never publicly stated considering an special session on the issue, preparations were believed to be well developed.

International Backdrop

The FAI move follows similar calls in last autumn from the heads of both Turkey and Norway's governing bodies for banning Israel from global football.

Those requests were made after UN specialists urged world and European football bodies to suspend Israel, referencing a UN commission of inquiry report that claimed Israel of committing genocide during the Gaza conflict.

Israel has denied these claims and described the report as outrageous.

Possible Consequences

Should European football's authority decide to suspend Israel, it would probably create tension with the United States government – joint hosts for the upcoming World Cup – which is firmly against such an measure.

Although the European body has the authority to suspend Israeli teams from its tournaments, it might not be able to prevent them from competing in World Cup qualifiers, which falls under Fifa.