Pressure is growing in Ireland for the national football team to boycott its upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel, amid delays to the team’s preparations.
Ireland are scheduled to face Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, September 27, while the return fixture is expected to take place in Backa Topola, Serbia, on October 4.
The Irish team’s pre-match press conference and training session were significantly delayed on Saturday. According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, some players had reportedly expressed reservations about playing the matches.
Ireland midfielder Jason Knight had earlier said after the team’s 1–0 defeat to Kosovo that the situation was difficult and that he did not believe the matches should go ahead.
Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson previously said: “We’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel.” His comments prompted a strong response from the Israeli Football Federation, which accused him of “stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy.”
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has resisted calls to cancel the fixtures, citing the possibility of sanctions from UEFA. Ireland is also due to co-host the 2028 European Championship alongside England, Wales and Scotland.
More than 160 Irish sports figures have signed an open letter urging the FAI to reconsider its decision to proceed with the matches.
Protests have also taken place in Ireland. Demonstrators gathered outside the team’s hotel in Dublin, while the SIPTU trade union displayed a large poster urging the players to “Go with your conscience!” and “Don’t play with genocide.”
Former Ireland manager Brian Kerr also criticised the FAI, saying it had lost the respect of many Irish football supporters over its decision to continue with the fixtures.
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