The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is coming under increasing pressure to pull-out of their two upcoming Nations League games against Israel.
The Republic of Ireland are due to play Israel on September 27 at a neutral venue. They are also due to host Israel at the Aviva Stadium on October 4.
Opposition parties, former Irish international players, managers and supporters have called on the FAI not to play Israel in protest at the genocide in Gaza and Israel’s bombings of Lebanon.
Last week Irish supporters halted the Republic’s game against Qatar in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on two occasions by throwing tennis balls with Palestine flags on them onto the pitch, protesting at the forthcoming games.
Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport Charlie McConalogue said the government supports the FAI’s decision to take part in the fixtures.
“The FAI have to make a decision in relation to partaking in the matches,” he told RTÉ. “They’ve made that decision, we as a government support that decision, they’re right to make it.
“I think it’s important we respect that decision that they’ve made from a political point of view.”
Sinn Féin is bringing forward a motion this week calling on the government to support a boycott of the matches.
Joanna Byrne TD said: “Sinn Féin’s motion highlights that FIFA and UEFA banned Russia in 2022 in response to the decision of the football associations of Czechia, Poland and Sweden to refuse to play Russia in international competition. No action was taken by FIFA or UEFA against these associations for refusing to play Russia, thus setting a clear legal and moral precedent.”
During a press conference ahead of last week’s Qatar game, Ireland captain Seamus Coleman stopped short of calling on the FAI to boycott the Israeli games.
“My views are very clear on the fact that Nathan (Collins), the younger players and the manager, that this should not have landed on our toes to answer questions about this. It should have been dealt with above us.
"I am a dad, I am a husband, I’ve got a heart, I know the difference between right and wrong. If I was to ask you the same question, it would be the same opinion, yeah?
“It is awful what is happening, it is extremely sad, but I don’t think we should be in this very difficult position. Absolutely not. It is very uncomfortable.”
