Several major names in the League of Ireland have joined a boycott against Ireland’s match with Israel in the Nations League.
Ireland is set to face Israel twice later this year, in September and October, after they were drawn in the same Nations League group with Austria and Kosovo.
It’s been met with a lot of backlash, and there’s expected to be a protest in Dublin on the day Israel comes to play Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. And now several names from the League of Ireland have joined a boycott against the game.
An open letter from Irish Sport for Palestine, titled ‘Stop the Game’ has urged the FAI to refuse to play against Israel. The letter calls on the FAI ‘to refuse to participate in the two scheduled UEFA Nations League games against Israel.
‘On the basis of a brutal system of apartheid and genocide, both of which are accepted by the Irish government. It is inconceivable that we would be willing to be silent and give cover to such crimes in the name of football,’ the letter added.
PFA Ireland chair and Shamrock Rovers defender Pico Lopes also made a statement as he was one of the 38 signatures in the letter.
‘We have to stop the game. As players and fans, our natural instinct is always to get out there and compete, but this is a moment where we need to look at the bigger picture.
‘We can’t ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration. Ireland has an opportunity here to lead—to be a pioneer and do what others won’t. We need to be brave enough to say enough is enough.
‘We can’t just stand by. Please, stop the game.’
Former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr, former LOI boss Roddy Collins, former Ireland Women’s player of the Year Louise Quinn and former Palestine captain Imad Zatara are among the footballing signatures on the letter.
Meanwhile, outside of football, Christy Moore, Kneecap and Fontaines DC have also added their names to the open letter.
The group ended the Instagram post with an image saying, ‘This campaign is only the beginning, and we will do everything in our power to ensure Irish football is not used to give cover to apartheid and genocide. Stop the game.’
