Irish figures urge Nations League boycott of Israel | OneFootball

Irish football and cultural figures, including former Ireland manager Brian Kerr, have urged the FAI to boycott Nations League fixtures against Israel. The home match is scheduled for 4 October at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

According to L'Équipe, an open letter from the Irish Sport for Palestine collective, titled Stop the Game, claims Israel breaches UEFA and FIFA statutes by allowing clubs to play in occupied Palestinian territories. The letter condemns the war in Gaza as genocide, a characterisation Israel firmly rejects.

Signatories include Kerr, former international Louise Quinn and Roberto Lopes, the Shamrock Rovers captain and president of the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland. Lopes writes that the humanitarian crisis and the scale of loss should outweigh sporting considerations, and that Ireland could set an example.

Artists such as Fontaines D.C., Kneecap, singer Christy Moore and actor Stephen Rea have also backed the appeal.

The issue has split Irish football. In November 2025, 93% of FAI members voted to ask UEFA to suspend Israel, while a recent Irish Football Supporters Partnership poll found 76% of respondents opposed the match going ahead.

Despite pressure, the government does not plan to intervene. The away leg, officially assigned to Israel, is set for 27 September on neutral ground. Prime minister Micheál Martin has acknowledged criticism of Israeli policy in Gaza while reiterating condemnation of Hamas attacks, and said sport becomes complicated when it intersects with politics.

The FAI remains cautious. Chief executive David Courell said in February that failing to fulfil international commitments could bring heavy sporting sanctions, including possible exclusion from future UEFA competitions.

Source: L'Équipe