DUP and UUP members of Mid Ulster District Council have triggered a formal call-in of a council decision that endorsed a boycott of the Republic of Ireland’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel.

At a meeting on 23 July, councillors voted 25 to 12 to pass a motion tabled by Independent councillor Dan Kerr. The motion condemned the scheduling of the matches, which are due to take place in September and October 2026, and called on the Football Association of Ireland to withdraw the Ireland team. It also asked that the motion be sent to the FAI, the 26-county minister for sport, and every other local authority on the island.

Sinn Féin, SDLP and Independent councillors backed the motion. The DUP and UUP groupings voted against it.

Following the vote, nine DUP councillors and the council’s two UUP representatives signed a notice of call-in. The notice argues that the council’s decision presents a one-sided position on an international conflict and fails to acknowledge the suffering of all civilians or legitimate security concerns. It states that the motion risks leaving members of the local Jewish community feeling excluded, marginalised or unfairly singled out and that the impact is likely to fall disproportionately on that minority community. The call-in contends the decision could undermine confidence that the council represents all sections of the community fairly and may adversely affect good relations.

Deputy Chief Executive Anne-Marie Campbell confirmed in correspondence dated 28 July that the call-in request meets procedural requirements and that a legal opinion has been sought on whether the call-in has merit. She said she will progress the next steps in accordance with the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 and council standing orders.

The original motion made reference to fan protests at the Aviva Stadium, remarks by Ireland captain Séamus Coleman that the moral dilemma should not have been placed on players, and a call for the FAI to accept whatever regulatory or financial consequences UEFA might impose. Moving the October fixture to a neutral venue in Serbia was described in the motion as failing to address the ethical issue.