FAI president stands by fulfillment of Israel fixtures

FAI president stands by decision to fulfil Israel fixtures, debt expected to fall to €35.5m by year-end

Updated / Saturday, 7 Nov 2026 14:36

The President of the Football Association of Ireland Paul Cooke says the association's sole intention regarding the Republic of Ireland's recent UEFA Nations League matches against Israel was to fulfil those fixtures and to act in the best interest of Irish football, while not overlooking the situation in Gaza.

Cooke was addressing delegates at the FAI's annual general meeting which was held in Cork on Saturday morning.

He also spoke about the association's most recent invitation to attend the Oireachtas Committee on Sport next week to discuss safeguarding issues, and confirmed that the FAI will be unable to attend on the proposed date.

Cooke detailed that they have offered to attend on several alternative dates and are happy meet with members at a future agreed time.

Committee chairman Alan Kelly TD has previously called on the Minister of State for Sport, Charlie McConalogue, to intervene if the FAI does not engage with the Committee.

Packie Bonner, seeking to be ratified as an independent director, told the assembly that there had been a lot said around the Nations League games against Israel but that he stood by what he had previously stated at last year's AGM.

In July, Bonner was one of the FAI board members that advocated for the games to go ahead and stated that he was happy that the FAI board had carried out the wishes of the members in playing the games.

Whilst there was a heavy security presence at the Silver Springs Conference Centre in Tivoli, there was little sign of a planned protest from the Stop the Game campaign who had raised questions ahead of the AGM, asking the association’s delegates about humanitarian support for Gaza, action on racist abuse and the FAI’s obligations under the Genocide Convention.

The financial position of the FAI has improved with debt now standing at €38m reduced from €42m in 2024.

By the end of 2026 the level of debt is expected to further reduce to €35.3m.

Turnover of €59.255m was slightly down from the previous year when the FAI hosted the Europa League final in Dublin.

According to the association's auditors, 2026 was a year of consolidation, transformation and continued financial recovery.

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, was granted honorary life membership of the association. Ahern is currently serving a second term as chairman of the FAI National League Committee.

In the election of Football Directors, Packie Bonner, Laura Finnegan O'Halloran, Caroline Rhatigan and Ursula Scully were all ratified in a vote by members.

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