Irish football stars call for boycott of Nations League match against Israel

Pressure is mounting within Irish sporting and public circles to boycott the upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Israel. A number of prominent footballers, artists, and cultural figures have joined a campaign urging the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to cancel the match scheduled for later this year.

Open letter to the FAI

According to Reuters, the group “Sport Ireland for Palestine” sent an open letter to the FAI, accusing Israel of committing “genocide” during the war on Gaza, as well as violating FIFA and UEFA regulations by holding matches on occupied Palestinian territory.

The campaign is based on a November 2023 vote, in which 93 percent of FAI members voted to give the board a mandate to pressure UEFA to suspend Israel’s membership – a commitment activists consider binding and must be respected.

The campaign has garnered support from prominent figures in the sporting world, including former Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr and former international player Louise Quinn, along with several Irish league players.

Forthcoming match in Dublin

The Irish national team is scheduled the upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Israel, with another match between the two sides expected on September 27th at a neutral venue.

The letter included statements from Shamrock Rovers captain and president of the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland, Roberto Lopez, who asserted that

the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine must take precedence over any sporting considerations.

He also argued that Ireland has an opportunity to take a leading role in this issue.

In contrast, Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Correll confirmed last February that the national team is obligated to play the scheduled matches, warning that withdrawal could expose Irish football to sanctions or exclusion from future competitions.

A poll conducted by the Football Supporters’ Association of Ireland also showed that 76 percent of respondents opposed holding the match against Israel.

According to Reuters, the campaign reflects the growing division within European sporting circles regarding Israel’s continued participation in international competitions, given the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

Featured image via the Canary