A poll conducted by the Irish Football Supporters’ Association found that 76% of respondents opposed the match against Israel taking place. [Getty]
A group of prominent Irish footballers, musicians and actors have joined a growing campaign urging the Republic of Ireland to boycott upcoming Nations League matches against Israel later this year over the war in Gaza.
The campaign, organised by the group Irish Sport for Palestine under the slogan “Stop the Game”, says Israel is carrying out a genocide in Gaza and violating UEFA and FIFA regulations by allowing teams to play matches on occupied Palestinian land.
In an open letter addressed to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), the campaigners called on Ireland’s national team to refuse to participate in two scheduled fixtures against Israel in September and October.
The letter argues that Ireland should not play the matches because of “a brutal system of apartheid and acts of genocide”, which it says have already been recognised by the Irish government.
Among the signatories are former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr, former women’s captain Louise Quinn, and several current League of Ireland players.
The campaign has also drawn support from major cultural figures, including Irish rock band Fontaines D.C., members of Kneecap, singer Paul Weller, folk artist Christy Moore, and Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea.
The Republic of Ireland is scheduled to host Israel at Aviva Stadium on 4 October, while another fixture set for 27 September is expected to take place at a neutral venue.
The letter included a statement from Shamrock Rovers captain and Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland chairman Roberto Lopes, who said: “The humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine must come before any sporting considerations.”
“Ireland has an opportunity here to lead and do what others won’t,” he added.
Campaign organisers also pointed to a November 2025 vote in which 93 per cent of the FAI’s general assembly backed a motion calling on UEFA to suspend Israel over the genocidal war on Gaza. However, UEFA rejected the request.
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin has insisted the matches should still go ahead.
Speaking to the Irish Times, Martin said Ireland had “strongly criticised” Israeli government policies, particularly in Gaza, while also condemning the Hamas attack on Israel.
“I think sport becomes a complicated arena when politics intersects with it,” he said.
FAI chief executive David Courell said earlier this year that the national team had little choice but to fulfil the fixtures or risk damaging Irish football’s long-term interests, including possible exclusion from future international competitions.
Meanwhile, a poll conducted by the Irish Football Supporters’ Association found that 76% of respondents opposed the match against Israel.
