More than 160 Irish sports figures have signed an open letter calling on the Ireland national football team to boycott their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel.
More than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter urging the Ireland national football team to boycott their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel, according to the Irish Sport for Palestine Group.
Ireland is scheduled to play Israel on September 27 in Hungary, followed by a reverse fixture on October 4 in Serbia. Both games will be held at neutral venues behind closed doors following protests by players and fans over the death toll of Palestinian civilians during the war in Gaza.
Prominent signatories of the letter include Olympian Ciara Mageean, former footballer Louise Quinn, former rugby flyhalf Tony Ward, and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan. The letter urged the team to take action, stating that refusing to play would demonstrate 'the power of sport to unite' and show shared values that connect everyone.
Although Football Association of Ireland (FAI) members voted overwhelmingly in late 2025 to request that UEFA suspend the Israel Football Association, the FAI ultimately committed to playing the fixtures to avoid sanctions. Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson recently acknowledged speaking individually with players, noting that 'none of us feel comfortable playing in these games.'
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Football. Photo courtesy The Hindu Football.