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.

The players did not shake hands with each other and the Republic of Ireland 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]."

Republic of Ireland 'raised awareness worldwide' in Israel game

Republic of Ireland defeat Israel in Debrecen

Republic of Ireland to wear black armbands for Israel game

There appeared to be real doubt on Saturday morning whether the fixture would take place with players locked in a meeting back at their hotel after it emerged goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the game in protest with several other expressing their concerns about fielding.

The FAI later confirmed a players' vote passed by a "significant majority" to play the game - the second match between the sides will take place on 4 October in the Serbian town of Backa Topola.

Cooke, who praised the players and manager Heimir Hallgrimsson after the victory, defended how the FAI dealt with the build-up to the controversial match.

"Some people think it was quite well handled.

"We said all along that we would play the game. That was mandated through us by our members, through the board, and we've fulfilled one of the fixtures now thanks to the courage of those players who played tonight and togged out."

Cooke was also asked about Uefa's response to an FAI letter sent last November which proposed Israel's expulsion from international and club competitions.

"Their response was that they'd consider it and they're still considering it," he said.

Cooke has spoken to the the two other countries in the group - Austria and Kosovo - asking if would they back sanctions against Israel.

"I've certainly spoken to the other countries in our group and they reaffirmed their decisions to play the games."