The Scottish Football Association (SFA) finds itself navigating a complex landscape as it gears up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Israel next year. Despite being deeply aware of the ongoing suffering and devastation in Gaza, the SFA is compelled to adhere to the policies set forth by UEFA and FIFA.

In a recent draw, Melissa Andreatta’s team was grouped in Nations League B4 alongside Israel, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The announcement immediately sparked calls for Scotland to boycott their matches against Israel, effectively jeopardizing their qualification campaign.

Andreatta, maintaining her focus on the sport, emphasized her role as head coach is to concentrate solely on the game. Meanwhile, the SFA acknowledged the concerns raised but underscored their responsibility to honor their commitments and complete their scheduled fixtures.

In a statement, the SFA expressed its awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating, “The Scottish FA is acutely aware of the suffering and devastation experienced in Gaza.” They acknowledged the emotional impact and moral urgency felt by supporters, campaigners, and the broader civic society in Scotland in light of the national team being drawn against Israel for the upcoming World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.

The SFA further clarified, “As a national association, we operate under the membership of FIFA and UEFA, bound by their Statutes. Member associations do not have the unilateral discretion to choose who they will or will not play against, which is why we are obliged to fulfil our fixtures.”

The SFA insist boycotting their World Cup qualifier with Israel is not an option

A pro-Palestine protestor chained himself to the post before the 2024 Euro qualifier

‘At the same time, we are a national association operating under membership of FIFA and UEFA and bound by their Statutes. Member associations do not have unilateral discretion to choose who they will or will not play against, which is why we are obliged to fulfil our fixtures.

‘Indeed, to refuse to play would forfeit both matches and negatively impact the prospects of our women’s national team.

‘We will continue to engage with supporters as we navigate the logistics of the home and away matches against Israel.’

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) had urged the SFA this week to boycott the games and Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman had said that the SFA should learn about the impact cultural boycotts played in ending bringing down apartheid in South Africa.

This week, a huge police presence was required in Birmingham for Aston Villa’s Europa League game against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Eleven arrests were made with more than 700 police officers required to cope with protest groups clashing with counter-protest groups.

‘It is a valid question,’ said Andreatta of Scotland’s position on the games against Israel next year. ‘The focus for the players and the staff is the football match, the draw. That is all we can focus on and control.

‘It is a question more for UEFA. As a group we can only be focused on the games. That is all we can do.’

700 police officers attended the Europa League match between Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv

Scotland played Israel at Hampden in June last year in a Nations League game that was delayed by half an hour when a protester chained himself to a goalpost sporting a t-shirt that read ‘show Israel the red card.’ Police with bold cutters had to be called in to unchain him before the game – which was played behind closed doors and with around 400 protesters outside – could get underway.

Similar scenarios can be anticipated again with Andreatta confident that the players have the experience to cope with the disruption.

‘We have a lot of different players in this group and their professionalism is something that is evidenced on a day-to-day basis,’ said Andreatta. ‘There have been different distractions for them to cope with in their careers in the past at both club and country level and they have handled it really well.

‘What we can control is how we approach the game. That is what we will focus on – how we set up to face the opposition and ensure that we are fully ready for the game. Everything else is entirely outwith our control.’

In terms of the qualification campaign itself, 11 European teams will qualify for the finals in Brazil. The top teams from the four League A will automatically qualify while there will then be a play-off system to negotiate.

Scotland’s route, if successful, will need to qualify via the play-offs.

‘I am an optimisic person,’ said Andreatta. ‘I am naturally positive and I am happy know who were facing and what we have to do.

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta insists her players can only focus on the match

‘We are now a step closer in that we know what we have to do. There is an opportunity to be at a World Cup but we know we need to go and earn that right.’

Scotland have a camp in Jerez at the end of November/start of December as they face China and Ukraine in friendlies with Andreatta looking to set a tone for the qualifiers which kick off in February.

‘I only feel positive,’ said the Australian. ‘This is a massive opportunity for us.

‘Why not just go for it? You will only fall shirt if you fear a loss or a negative outcome. We want to go in expecting maximum results. We are progressing. The players are hungry, they are full of desire and are playing with an energy and enthusiasm that has been great to see.’