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Irish soccer federation votes to call for UEFA to suspend Israel from competition for alleged violations

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Irish soccer federation votes to call for UEFA to suspend Israel from competition for alleged violations


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The governing body for soccer in Ireland voted Saturday to call for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend Israel from competition. 

It marks the third instance of a European soccer national governing body calling for Israel’s suspension from UEFA, joining Norway and Turkey. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also called for Israel’s sports teams to be suspended from international competition. 

The Football Association of Ireland passed the resolution, proposed by Irish club Bohemians, with more than 50% of its delegates supporting it.

The proposal cited two alleged violations of UEFA statutes by the Israel Football Association (IFA). The first is “organizing clubs in occupied Palestinian territories without the consent of the Palestinian FA” and the second is “the alleged failure of the IFA to enforce an effective anti-racism policy.”

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Israeli soccer fans wave flags as Israel warms up prior to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Europe zone Oct. 11, in Oslo, Norway.   (Fredrik Varfjell/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

The Irish body also said in a statement it would “call on UEFA to publish transparent criteria for the suspension or exclusion of member associations to ensure equal treatment of all members.”.

Israel’s national team is scheduled to complete its World Cup-qualifying campaign with a match against Moldova Nov. 16. The team is third in its group and cannot finish first to qualify automatically for next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, or even second to get into the playoffs.

But growing global opposition against Israeli sports teams has put its athletes and fans in disadvantaged positions in 2025.

The UEFA was reportedly moving toward a vote to suspend Israel over the war in Gaza in September, but the motion was put on pause. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced no action would be taken against the team on Oct. 3, after a historic peace proposal by President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

However, even after the peace proposal, Israeli sports teams have faced opposition and exclusion.

FREED HOSTAGE LAMENTS ISRAELI FANS BEING BARRED FROM UK SOCCER GAME OVER CONCERNS OF PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS

Israel’s national gymnastics team was denied visas to enter Indonesia for the World Gymnastics Championships in October.

The Indonesian government cited security and safety concerns for denying the visas, but an Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the country’s security team gave clearance to its athletes.

“We received authorization from the Israeli Security Authorities to participate in the World Championship subject to the necessary security protocols in place. From our side, all preparations were complete — registration process, entry visas to Indonesia and Israeli Security Authorities confirmation,” the IGF said.

Israeli men’s gymnast Eyal Indig called Indonesia’s decision “a blatant incident of discrimination on the basis of nationality” in an interview with Fox News Digital.

The Indonesian Embassy in the U.S. responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment, saying, “The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has no further comment to share on this matter.”

In England, fans of the Israeli soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv were banned from attending the team’s recent match against Aston Villa in the U.K. this week, also for safety concerns. Maccabi Tel Aviv FC supporters were reportedly the target of violence in Amsterdam before and during the soccer team’s match against Ajax last year.

However, unrest still broke out at the game on Thursday, with anti-Israel protesters in the vicinity.

British police said six people were arrested Thursday ahead of the Israeli team’s match against Aston Villa in a Europa League match.

About 200 protesters gathered near a park near Aston Villa Park’s Trinity Road stand. These protesters included members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, per The Associated Press. Some pro-Israel protesters were also present.

Meanwhile, the Israeli cycling team, Israel-Premier Tech (IPT), lost its top sponsor despite honoring the sponsor’s request to remove the word “Israel” from the team name.

The Canadian company Premier Tech announced it would be ending its partnership with the team in a statement released Friday.

“After multiple discussions with the team and careful assessment of all relevant circumstances, Premier Tech has decided to step down as co-title sponsor of the team taking effect immediately,” the statement said.

“Although we took notice of the team’s decision to change its name for the 2026 season, the core reason for Premier Tech to sponsor the team has been overshadowed to a point where it has become untenable for us to continue as a sponsor.”

In September, after agreeing to drop “Israel” from its name, the team said it “expects the team to evolve towards a new name excluding ‘Israel,’ leading to a new identity and branding.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to IPT for comment.

The team was excluded from an October race in Italy, the Giro dell’Emilia, because of concerns over potentially disruptive pro-Palestine protests.

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Organizers made the decision after protesters repeatedly disrupted the recent Spanish Vuelta in the presence of Israel-Premier Tech.

Seven of the past 11 days of racing at the Vuelta were cut short or interrupted because Spain’s government estimated more than 100,000 people were on the streets in Madrid during the final stage in September.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Olympic hopeful Jutta Leerdam, Jake Paul’s fiancée, bounces back after crushing fall during trials

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Olympic hopeful Jutta Leerdam, Jake Paul’s fiancée, bounces back after crushing fall during trials


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Dutch women’s speed skating hopeful Jutta Leerdam bounced back on Sunday in the 500-meter race as she hoped to make the Olympic team for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

Leerdam finished in second place behind Femke Kok in the race. Kok, who set the women’s 500-meter world record in November, had a time of 36.873. Leerdam finished with a time of 37.242.

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Jutta Leerdam participates in the Staatsloterij Olympic Qualification Tournament at THIALF in Heerenveen, Netherlands, on Dec. 26, 2025.  (Caroline van Leusden/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It was a much better than Friday’s result.

Leerdam, who is the fiancée of boxer Jake Paul, crashed and fell on the ice during the 1,000-meter event. She was seen in tears as she skated off the ice.

LINDSEY VONN QUALIFIES FOR FIFTH WINTER OLYMPICS

Jutta Leerdam is dejected

Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands looks dejected competing on the Women’s 500m on Day 1 of the Dutch Speed Skating Olympic Qualifiers at Thialf on Dec. 26, 2025 in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (Henk Jan Dijks/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

“I’m skating so well in practice. What those girls are skating here, I could have easily skated today,” she said, via Olympics.com. “I’ve skated 1:14 here 25 times, and I feel even better now than I have in the past two years. I’m really hitting it.”

There’s still hope for Leerdam to qualify for the Olympics as the national committee will ultimately make the determination as to whether Leerdam will mae the cut.

Leerdam won a silver medal in the 2022 Beijing Games in the 1,000-meter race. She finished just behind Japan’s Miho Takagi, who set an Olympic record time.

Jutta Leerdam on the podum

Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands receives the gold medal for the women’s 1000m during the ISU Speed Skating World Cup at Utah Olympic Oval on Nov. 14, 2025. (Peter Creveling/Imagn Images)

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She skipped the 2025 ISU Speed Skating World Cup in Hamar, Norway, to focus on Olympic trials.

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Imad Wasim announces divorce after over six years of marriage

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Imad Wasim announces divorce after over six years of marriage


Pakistan’s former all-rounder poses after taking a wicket in an undated picture while representing Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). — Instagram/@imadwasim

Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on Sunday announced his divorce after more than six years of marriage.

Citing privacy, the cricketer requested fans and followers not to share the couple’s old photos on social media.

Taking to the social media platform Instagram, Imad urged fans and media outlets to refrain from sharing old pictures of the couple.

“After much thought, and due to repeated conflicts that could not be resolved over the past few years, I have filed for divorce,” Imad wrote. “I sincerely request everyone to respect our privacy and avoid using or sharing any old couple photos.”

The 37-year-old further asked people not to refer to Sania as his spouse going forward and cautioned against speculation or misinformation surrounding the matter.

“I request everyone not to engage in or believe any misleading narratives. Any attempt to defame or involve others in this personal matter will be addressed through the proper legal channels if necessary,” he stated.

Imad also addressed the situation regarding their children, reaffirming his responsibilities as a father.

“Regarding the children, I remain their father and will continue to care for them fully and responsibly,” he added, concluding the statement by thanking supporters for their understanding and respect.

Meanwhile, Imad’s wife also took to Instagram and said, “Like many marriages, ours had difficulties, yet it continued to exist.”

Imad Wasim and Sania Ashfaq tied the knot in 2019, and they have three children.





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PCB to operate Multan Sultans for PSL 11: Mohsin Naqvi – SUCH TV

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PCB to operate Multan Sultans for PSL 11: Mohsin Naqvi – SUCH TV



Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday said that the cricket board would “operate Multan Sultans” this year, with plans to auction the franchise after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The announcement comes a month after Ali Tareen said he was parting ways with the PSL franchise as his relations with the PCB had strained over the past year.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the PCB chief confirmed that the cricket board would operate the franchise this year, saying “the franchise will be auctioned after the PSL concludes”.

Sultans were originally awarded as the sixth PSL team to the Schon Group under a $5.2 million agreement, making it the most expensive franchise at the time.

However, the PCB terminated the agreement after the inaugural season when franchise payments were not made.

In 2018, Alamgir Tareen, along with his nephew Ali, acquired the franchise for $6.3 million.

Meanwhile, Naqvi said that the board wanted to begin the upcoming PSL season earlier than planned.

“We want to start the PSL from March 23 instead of March 26, and a final decision will be made after consultation with all franchises,” he added.

The PCB chief announced that former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had been appointed as the PSL’s brand ambassador ahead of the upcoming edition.

On the league’s expansion, he said that the bidding for the two new PSL teams will take place on January 8 in Islamabad.

“It is an important day for us, and our teams will sell well,” he said, adding that ten parties have qualified for the second round of the auction.

The PCB confirmed the same a day earlier, saying that its bid committee had shortlisted 10 bidders for the second round of the auction to sell the rights for two new teams in the PSL.

The PSL, which began in 2016 with five franchises and later expanded to six sides in 2018, is set for further expansion with the addition of two new teams from its upcoming 11th edition, set to be played next year.

With the upcoming additions, the PSL will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, bringing the total number of franchises to eight.

On India-related cricket issues, the PCB chief said that whatever happens with India “will be on an equal footing”.

“If they do not want to shake hands, we have no such desire either,” Naqvi added.

He revealed plans to bring up the conduct of India’s Under-19 team before the International Cricket Council (ICC).

On team management, Naqvi stated that a final decision on the appointment of the red-ball team head coach has not yet been made, adding that a PCB team was currently reviewing the matter.



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