FAI face Oireachtas committee over Israel matches
Cillian Ferry
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) yesterday appeared before an Oireachtas committee to answer questions about its handling of last week’s controversial Nations League meeting with Israel.
The match between Republic of Ireland and Israel has continued to generate scrutiny, with Gavin Bazunu’s decision to withdraw from the squad and an allegation of racist abuse directed at Cork star Adam Idah among the many talking points surrounding the fixture.
Ireland’s 3-0 victory was overshadowed by an allegation concerning Idah and supporters in the Israeli section of the stadium. Ireland midfielder Jayson Molumby alleges he heard racist chants directed at the Swansea striker during the first half.
Molumby approached referee Harm Osmers and fourth official Florian Exner, asking them to listen to what was coming from the stands, however due to the incident not being explicitly reported as racism during the match and officials having said they had not heard the chanting, UEFA stated it could not open disciplinary proceedings.
Footage circulating online appears to show supporters making monkey chants towards Idah, although the allegation is yet to be fully investigated. Videos from Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad’s social media accounts also show the Israeli supporters chanting military slogans following their defeat.
The FAI has since said that they are undergoing their own investigation, examining available video and audio footage to determine whether there is evidence of racist abuse. However, the FAI themselves are facing scrutiny over wider questions of governance and staff relations.
Yesterday, FAI representatives faced members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport to discuss safeguarding, governance and football.
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary Greg Ennis said: “The FAI receives substantial public funding, yet the workers who deliver football programmes and keep the organisation running are still fighting for the right to negotiate their pay and conditions collectively through their union.”
He also criticised the circumstances surrounding the Ireland-Israel fixture, saying the players “should never have been left carrying the weight of that decision”, referring to the reports that players voted on whether to take the field.
One player that didn’t take to the field was goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who has returned to the Ireland squad this week following his decision to withdraw from the two fixtures against Israel.
Bazunu will be available for tonight’s Nations League meeting with Austria, however manager Heimir Hallgrímsson will still have to find a replacement for Sunday’s fixture as Ireland face Israel once again.
Bazunu’s said his decision to withdraw was based on the belief that “the killing of innocent people is wrong” and stressed that his position was not directed towards Israeli people or the Jewish community.