Ireland commits to play Israel in European soccer tourney after seeking Israeli team’s ouster

Ireland’s soccer governing body committed to playing Israel in the Nations League after the two sides were drawn to face each other in the competition on Thursday, three months after Ireland called for Israel’s expulsion from European competitions.

The FAI formally requested that Israel be banned from UEFA competitions in November for alleged breaches of the European governing body’s statutes after members overwhelmingly backed a proposal compelling its board to make the request.

UEFA considered holding a vote last year on whether to suspend Israel from European competitions over the war with Hamas in Gaza. That did not happen.