Irish footballers urge boycott of Israel match

An open letter sent to FAI from campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine

DUBLIN:

Leading Irish footballers have joined ?with celebrities in a campaign urging the Republic of Ireland to boycott a UEFA Nations League match against Israel later this year.

An open letter sent to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) from campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine accuses Israel of engaging in "genocide" in the war in Gaza and of breaching UEFA and FIFA statutes by allowing teams to play on occupied Palestinian land.

In November 2025, 93% of FAI members voted for its leadership to press UEFA ?to suspend Israel under those statutes, a mandate campaigners say the Irish governing body should 'respect and represent'.

Israel has denied that its forces have committed genocide during the war in Gaza.

Reuters has contacted the FAI and the Israel Football Association (IFA) for comment.

The letter, entitled "Stop the Game", was signed by League of Ireland players, former men's coach Brian Kerr and twice women's player of the year Louise Quinn.

Irish rock band Fontaines D.C., hip-hop trio Kneecap and singer-songwriter Christy Moore were among the other signatories along with Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea.

Ireland are set to host Israel at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on October 4, while a September 27 fixture designated as an Israeli home match is expected to be staged at a neutral venue.

The letter includes ?a statement ?from Shamrock Rovers captain and Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland chair Roberto Lopes.

"We can't ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration," said Dublin-born Lopes, who is set to play at the World Cup for Cape Verde in June. "Ireland has an opportunity here to lead and do what others won't."