Sports
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.
Ireland and Israel players did not shake hands and the Irish 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].”
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Sports
Israel v Republic of Ireland: FAI investigating alleged racist abuse of Adam Idah
The Football Association of Ireland is investigating whether forward Adam Idah was racially abused by Israel supporters during Sunday’s 3-0 Uefa Nations League victory for the Republic of Ireland.
BBC Sport understands that midfielder Jayson Molumby spoke to the match officials during play, asking them to listen out for what he believed to be abusive chanting coming from some of the small number of Israel fans present at the match.
After full-time the officials informed FAI staff members that they did not subsequently hear any racist chanting.
When the FAI spoke to the Uefa match delegate about the alleged incident, they were informed that because no clear allegation of racism was reported during the game, the normal protocols had not been followed and a Uefa investigation could not take place.
The FAI is now conducting its own investigation by amassing high-quality footage of the match, including audio from pitchside microphones, in order to establish whether or not abuse was directed at Idah.
A panel is being set up by the FAI to analyse the footage and audio recordings. If the panel believes there is evidence to suggest Idah was abused, it will make a complaint to Uefa and request a further investigation by European football’s governing body.
Idah was unaware of any possible abuse during the match and is now being supported by team-mates and staff members before the Republic of Ireland’s remaining three fixtures in the current international break.
It is unclear whether the FAI would present its case to Uefa before or after Sunday’s behind-closed-doors game against Israel in Backa Topola, Serbia.
BBC Sport has contacted Uefa for comment.
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Sports
Giants fear pass rusher Brians Burns tore ACL: Source
Burns was an All-Pro for the Giants in 2026.
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Sports
Craig Bellamy sure Wales belong in League A ahead of Haaland threat
While Bellamy was unbeaten in his first nine games after taking charge in July 2024, North Macedonia remain the highest ranked side – 65th – he has got the better of as Wales manager.
“I still want Craig Bellamy to be our manager, but I think there’s an element of a new manager bounce when he first came in, there was an excitement and a freedom,” former Wales international Nia Jones told the Feast of Football podcast.
“Sometimes the novelty wears off and expectations from opponents and fans go up, and I feel we’ve plateaued.”
Wales now have two games to avoid going a full calendar year without winning for the first time since 1989, which would only put more pressure on Bellamy in his first international window since being linked with the Burnley job.
“When Craig took over, that first game against Turkey, the football was fantastic,” said ex-Wales striker Nathan Blake.
“I remember our fans were like ‘Wow, this is pretty, it’s totally changed’. Everything was front-footed.
“Maybe the problem is because we were so good, on the front foot and the pressing was on point and catching teams off guard, maybe teams know what we’re going to do.”
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