Irish athletes call on national team to boycott Israel match over Gaza genocide

More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter asking the Ireland national soccer team to boycott their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel, the Irish Sport for Palestine Group said on Monday.

Ireland are due to play Israel on Sunday in Hungary before the reverse fixture in Serbia on October 4. The matches are set to be staged at neutral venues and behind closed doors after protests by players and fans over the killings of Palestinians during the genocide Israel is committing in Gaza.

Irish Sport for Palestine said the signatories included Olympian Ciara Mageean, former soccer player Louise Quinn, former rugby flyhalf Tony Ward and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan.

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson reacts during an international friendly match against Canada in Montreal on June 5.

Photo: AFP

“This is a significant moment and with this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing,” the letter said. “Not playing the game would be the most sporting thing you could do. Through your leadership and courage, it would show the power of sport to unite, remind us of the shared values that connect us all, and have an impact far beyond the game.”

In May, leading Irish athletes joined celebrities in a campaign urging Ireland to boycott the Nations League matches against Israel.

Ireland has been one of the EU’s most outspoken critics of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and Football Association of Ireland (FAI) members voted overwhelmingly late last year for its board to request that UEFA immediately suspend the Israel Football Association from European competitions.

The FAI later committed to playing the fixtures, citing sanctions that could affect the national team and the association.

Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said last week he had spoken individually to players about playing Israel and that “none of us feel comfortable playing in these games.”