Irish sportspeople urge Republic of Ireland to boycott Israel game

More than 160 Irish athletes have penned an open letter to the Republic of Ireland's senior men's football team, urging them to boycott an upcoming Nations League match against Israel. The match, scheduled for September 27 in Hungary, followed by a return game in Serbia on October 4, has sparked controversy and disagreement within the country's sporting community.

The letter, signed by sportspeople including Olympian Ciara Mageean, former footballer Louise Quinn, rugby player Tony Ward, and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan, among others, states that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), UEFA, and the Irish government should have acted sooner. However, the letter emphasizes that there is still time to demonstrate the power of sport to unite, symbolizing a deeper shared value that goes beyond the game itself.

The athletes argue that playing for the Irish jersey carries significance, but they believe that the Ireland they want to represent is one rooted in anti-colonial and anti-imperial resistance, which Irish sport has historically championed. They assert that not playing the game would be the most sporting and impactful choice they could make, showing leadership and courage that would send a powerful message.

Despite the controversy, the FAI had previously voted 75 to 32 (with three abstentions) to proceed with the fixtures, citing potential significant financial losses if they boycotted the games. Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, who spoke to his players individually about the prospect, confirmed that none felt comfortable playing against Israel. The Nations League match marks the team's first competitive action since their heartbreaking World Cup play-off semi-final loss to the Czech Republic in March.