The Republic of Ireland men’s team is scheduled to play Israel in two UEFA Nations League fixtures at a neutral venue on September 27 and in Dublin on October 4. An open letter signed by public figures and current and former football players calls on the Football Association of Ireland to boycott the matches. Ministers Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue said they will not attend the Dublin match and that the Government did not seek legal advice on potential sanctions for the FAI. They said coverage decisions are for RTÉ and that playing the game is for the FAI, with possible significant repercussions within UEFA. Fans protested at a friendly match by throwing tennis balls reading “Stop The Game.” The Taoiseach said Ireland should avoid self-defeating actions that could concede points and lower rankings.
"The Republic of Ireland men's football team is scheduled to face Israel in two Uefa Nations League fixtures at a neutral venue on September 27 and in Dublin on October 4. Paul Weller, Stephen Rea, Kneecap and current and former football players have signed an open letter to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) calling on them to boycott upcoming matches against Israel."
"Earlier this week, Minister for Sport Patrick O'Donovan and junior minister for sport Charlie McConalogue said they will not attend the match in Dublin. They added that the Government had not sought legal advice about what potential sanctions the FAI might face if they were not to go ahead with the fixtures."
"Meanwhile, Mr McConalogue said the Government has "always been clear that it's a matter for the FAI to decide" whether to play the game. He said there would be "significant repercussions for [the FAI] within the UEFA system for them to consider and they've made their call and we support their decision"."
"Asked whether the matches should go ahead, the Taoiseach said: "We don't want to damage ourselves unnecessarily. "In other words, concede six points to Israel, our ranking goes down. Irish football has been on an upward curve of late, and so on that side, you don't want to be self-defeating in terms of any actions. The Government doesn't run Fifa.""
Read at Irish Independent
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