Ireland : Prominent Irish footballers and celebrities have urged the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to boycott the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel over the war in Gaza.
An open letter sent by campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and violating UEFA and FIFA statutes by allowing teams to play on occupied Palestinian land.
The campaigners said the FAI should honour a November 2025 vote in which 93% of its members backed efforts to push UEFA to suspend Israel from international competition.
Israel has denied accusations that its military actions in Gaza constitute genocide.
The letter, titled “Stop the Game”, was signed by League of Ireland players, former Ireland men’s coach Brian Kerr, former women’s international Louise Quinn, Irish band Fontaines D.C., rap trio Kneecap, singer-songwriter Christy Moore and actor Stephen Rea.
Ireland are scheduled to host Israel at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Oct. 4, while the reverse fixture on Sept. 27 is expected to take place at a neutral venue.
Shamrock Rovers captain Roberto Lopes, who also chairs the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland, said humanitarian concerns should outweigh sporting considerations.
“We can’t ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration,” Lopes said.
“Ireland has an opportunity here to lead and do what others won’t.”
Israel has competed in UEFA competitions since the early 1980s after leaving the Asian Football Confederation when several nations refused to play against them.
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin opposed calls for a boycott, saying sporting commitments should still be fulfilled despite Ireland’s criticism of Israeli government policy in Gaza.
“We have been critics and have opposed very strongly Israeli government policy within Gaza in particular,” Martin told the Irish Times.
“I think sport is an area that can be challenging when it crosses into the realm of politics.”
FAI chief executive David Courell said earlier this year that refusing to play could jeopardise Ireland’s long-term sporting interests, including the risk of sanctions or exclusion from future competitions.
A poll conducted by the Irish Football Supporters Partnership found 76% of respondents opposed the fixture going ahead.
