Arabic version: مباراتا أيرلندا وإسرائيل في دوري الأمم تواجهان دعوات للمقاطعة
According to Al Jazeera, Ireland’s UEFA Nations League matches against Israel have prompted protests and boycott calls from fans, footballers, celebrities and rights groups. The teams were drawn in League B Group B3 with Austria and Kosovo, and will meet twice within eight days as opposition in Ireland focuses on Israel’s war in Gaza.
The first fixture is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary. The second will be held on October 4 at TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia, behind closed doors. Israel has not hosted an international fixture at home since September 2023 because UEFA barred it from hosting teams over security concerns. Ireland’s state broadcaster RTE will show stripped-back coverage, without studio presentation, punditry, advertising or sponsorship.
Irish Sport for Palestine launched a “Stop the Game” campaign in May, backed by leading Irish footballers and celebrities. Its letter was signed by League of Ireland players, former men’s coach Brian Kerr and former women’s player of the year Louise Quinn. Campaigners say Israel should be suspended from UEFA and FIFA, citing alleged breaches of statutes over teams playing on occupied Palestinian land. Amnesty International has also called for Israel to be excluded from competitions.
The Football Association of Ireland has said it must fulfil its obligations to avoid damaging the long-term sporting interests of Irish football. Prime Minister Micheal Martin said sport can be challenging when it crosses into politics, while manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said his team were not “playing with genocide” but “playing against genocide”. The Israeli FA called his remarks ignorant, hypocritical and stupid; Martin described that response as unacceptable.
Polls cited by boycott advocates found substantial support for refusing to play: a Professional Footballers’ Association poll in February found 63 percent of respondents opposed the fixtures, while an Irish Mirror poll found 71 percent would support the FAI if it declined. UEFA has no fixed fine for refusing a Nations League match, but possible sanctions include fines, point penalties and forfeitures.
