The Football Association of Ireland's General Assembly has voted to fulfil upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel, rejecting a boycott that the board warned could cost €10.3 million and risk exclusion from UEFA and FIFA competitions.
The motion passed with 75 votes in favour, 32 against and three abstentions at an extraordinary general meeting at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Wednesday. A competing motion proposing a boycott was ruled invalid over questions regarding the membership status of its signatories. Around 100 supporters displaying Palestinian flags protested at the stadium's tunnel entrance before the vote.
The away match is scheduled for 27 September in Debrecen, Hungary, while Ireland's nominal home fixture will be played behind closed doors on 4 October in Bačka Topola, Serbia. Bohemian Football Club stated it would boycott any European fixture against an Israeli opponent. The FAI noted all other national associations have fulfilled their fixtures with Israel.