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Questions Raised Over Motivation and Governance.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has voted overwhelmingly to submit a motion to UEFA calling for the suspension of the Israel Football Association (IFA) from European football competitions.
The motion, passed by 74 votes to 7 with 2 abstentions, was adopted at an extraordinary general meeting of the FAI. It urges UEFA to remove Israel from participation in club and international competitions, citing alleged breaches of football governance and human rights obligations.
Grounds for the Motion:
The proposal contends that the Israel Football Association:
- Operates clubs in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, without the consent of the Palestinian Football Association — said to breach UEFA and FIFA statutes.
- Has failed to uphold UEFA’s anti-racism and equality policies, contrary to Article 7bis of the UEFA Statutes.
- UEFA has already decided that no European competition matches can take place in Israel due to ongoing security concerns. However, the FAI motion goes further, seeking to completely suspend Israel from all UEFA competitions.
Next Steps and Potential Outcomes:
The FAI’s motion will now be transmitted to UEFA, where it may be considered by the organisation’s Executive Committee or Congress.
If acted upon, the suspension could see:
- Israeli clubs removed from the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
- The Israeli national team barred from European Championship and World Cup qualifying campaigns conducted under UEFA.
No formal timetable for discussion or decision has been announced by UEFA.
Potential Consequences
Analysts warn that the move could have wide-ranging implications:
Sporting disruption: Fixtures involving Israeli clubs or national sides could be cancelled or restructured.
Legal risk: The Israel Football Association could challenge any suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that it is politically motivated.
Diplomatic impact: UEFA could face political and commercial pressure from member governments and sponsors.
Precedent: A ban on Israel could prompt demands for similar action in other politically charged situations, raising questions about consistency and governance in sport.
Financial Context: – FAI’s Dependence on State Support.
This debate comes as the FAI continues to rely heavily on Irish Government and UEFA financial assistance.
In January 2020, the State, UEFA and Bank of Ireland agreed a €30 million rescue package to save the FAI from insolvency. This included €20 million in taxpayer funding through Irish government loans and grants.
In October 2025, the Government confirmed a further €3 million allocation in Budget 2026; same to support the development of League of Ireland academies.
This financial dependency has led some observers to ask who exactly initiated or influenced the FAI’s extraordinary meeting and subsequent vote and whether the association consulted adequately with its funding partners before taking a political position of such scale.
Broader Questions: While many within Irish football support calls for greater international accountability, others caution that the FAI, still emerging from years of financial crisis and governance reform, must act with care to avoid drawing itself into complex geopolitical disputes.
As UEFA weighs its response, the move has sparked debate not only about Israel’s role in European football, but also about the role of the Irish football authorities themselves, an organisation dependent on public funds now taking a stand on one of the most divisive issues in world sport.
It was with a great personal sadness that I learned of the death, yesterday Friday 7th November 2025, of
Mr Tom O’Dowd, Graiguenoe, Holycross, Thurles, Tipperary, and formerly of Emmett Square, Williamstown, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Pre-deceased by his parents Josie and Tom, Mr O’Dowd sadly passed away, unexpectedly, following a long illness, while in the care of staff at St James Hospital, Dublin.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; wife Lizzie (née Kinane, Barnane, Templemore), sons Kieran and Eoin, daughter Gráinne (Staklelum), adored grandsons Fionn and Tadgh, Eoin’s partner Michelle and her son James, son-in-law Aidan, sister Valerie and her husband John (Hammond, Drumcondra, Dublin), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended relatives, former colleagues in Revenue, neighbours and many friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr O’Dowd will repose at his place of ordinary residence, (Eircode E41 C967) on Monday afternoon, November 10th, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm, same evening.
His funeral cortège will be received into the former Cistercian Monastery Abbey at Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, on Tuesday morning, November 11th, at 11:00am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr O’Dowd, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended O’Dowd and Kinane families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
In ár gcroíthe go deo.
It was with sadness that we learned of the death, on Thursday 6th November 2025, of Mr Cornelius Keane, Kincora Terrace, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Mr Keane sadly passed away while in the care of staff at the Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Crosspatrick, Co. Kilkenny.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving daughter Sinead, son David and former wife Ann, grandchildren, his sister Mary, brothers Ger and Tom, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Mr Keane will be received into the Cathedral of the Assumption, Cathedral Street, Thurles, (Eircode E41 A528), on Monday morning next, November 10th, to repose for Requiem Mass at 11:00am, followed by interment in St Patrick’s cemetery, Moyne Road, Lognafulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Keane, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Keane family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Ms Maura Barrett, (Cashel Library) Reports:
When betrayal shattered her life, author Marcella thought she might never recover.
A mother of four, broken and raw, she found herself on the edge of despair, until she chose to begin again.
“The Year I Changed My Life“, is part memoir, part guide: a year-long journey through heartbreak, healing, and the radical act of coming home to yourself.
Join us for a fun and interactive workshop launch – with Refreshments served.
This is just one of the many free events at Cashel Library each year.
Do Remember booking is essential to Tel: 062-63825.
Visitors attending this event can locate the Cashel Library building; situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (Eircode E25 K798).
Tipperary Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Attempting to Import Cocaine Worth Over €1 Million
An Garda Síochána has welcomed the sentencing today of a Tipperary man to seven years’ imprisonment for his role in attempting to import cocaine worth in excess of €1 million into the Irish State.
Details of the Case.
On October 10th 2022, as part of an intelligence-led operation, Gardaí conducted a detailed search of a camper van which had docked at Dublin Port. The vehicle, driven by Mr John Joseph Carey (57 years) of Rathanny, Golflinks Road, Tipperary Town, was found to contain 16.6 kilograms of cocaine concealed within a Perspex box built into the frame of the camper vehicle.
Mr Carey was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. He pleaded guilty before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where he was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.
Admissions and Circumstances.
During interview, Mr Carey accepted responsibility for the offence. He informed investigating Gardaí that he had agreed to transport the drugs after coming under significant financial pressure. Mr Carey explained that he had borrowed €100,000 from so-called “travelling people” to assist in his landscaping business, but that the debt had risen to approximately €250,000. He stated that he had been tracked down and persuaded to participate in the smuggling operation, as a means of repaying the debt.
Garda Response.
Detective Garda Mr Damien O’Neill, who led the investigation, said the operation demonstrated the continued vigilance of Garda personnel working to prevent the importation of controlled drugs into Ireland.
An Garda Síochána remains fully committed to identifying and targeting those involved in the supply and distribution of illegal drugs. The outcome in this case reflects the effectiveness of ongoing co-operation between Gardaí and Customs Authorities, in disrupting organised criminal activity.
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