UEFA defends policy after rejecting Ireland’s request not to play Israel UEFA responds after Ireland’s football association says its request to avoid future pairings with Israel was rejected.Share this: Ireland defeats Israel in controversial UEFA Nations League matchDateSeptember 27, 2026In relation toAl-JazeeraUEFA to investigate spitting incident at Ireland-Israel football matchDateOctober 6, 2026In relation toAl-JazeeraMore than 70 athletes call on UEFA to ban Israel over rights abusesDateNovember 11, 2025In relation toAl-Jazeera