FAI President Paul Cooke admitted after the Republic of Ireland's controversial 3-0 win over Israel that the association were still unclear what additional sanctions they would have potentially faced had they not fulfilled the fixture.
The build-up to the game - ever since the draw in February - had been dominated by off-field matters with many calling for Ireland not to take part in response to Israeli attacks on Gaza.
The uncertainty over the game prevailed to the very end, with Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu deciding on Saturday that he was not going to play, stating "it would be wrong to participate", before a vote was taken amongst other squad members to see if they would participate.
Amidst the debate, what punishment the FAI would face was never made explicitly clear and speaking to RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue following the win in Debrecen, Cooke said that as well as the standard punishments for not fulfilling a fixture, there was the possibility of "undetermined" extras.
"No," he replied when asked had UEFA threatened any added sanctions if they withdrew from the game and/or the 'home' fixture next Sunday.
"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]."
'It depends on UEFA and what sanctions they levy on somebody as a result of it
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 28, 2026
'We saw a recent thing in England and Southampton, the levies that were levied on them'
FAI President Paul Cooke admitted that the association were still unclear what additional sanctions they would... pic.twitter.com/CLOnFPnGyn
While Cooke accepted that some people would feel the situation wasn't dealt with correctly by the FAI, he felt others would hold an opposing view.
"Some people think it was quite well handled," he said.
"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 said the Irish players who featured in Sunday night's win were "a credit to the nation" and he was also full of praise for how manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had dealt with the controversy surrounding the game.
"I think first of all I have to pay tribute to every player that togged out here tonight.
"The courage they showed to play and the dignified manner they conducted themselves, they're a credit to Ireland, they're a credit to the nation, they're a credit to Irish football."
"I reference the players' courage, I look at the courage of the manager," Cooke added.
"The way he spoke yesterday in the face of some very antagonistic questions and the way he prepared the team. And again, equally, the executive led by David (Courell, CEO) and John (Martin, director of football), the way they have prepared for this."
Cooke was quizzed about UEFA's response to the letter sent by the FAI last November proposing Israel's expulsion from international and club competitions on foot of a vote by the General Assembly.
The FAI president bluntly replied that, "their response was that they'd consider it and they're still considering it."
Cooke confirmed that he had spoken to the other countries in Group B3, Kosovo and Austria, asking 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."
