Ex-Ireland Captain Urges Against Boycotting Matches With Israel

Former Ireland national football team captain Kenny Cunningham has spoken out against boycotting upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel. In an interview with The Irish Times, Cunningham stated his disagreement with the boycott and emphasized that the home match should have taken place in Dublin as originally planned.

The Israeli and Irish national teams are scheduled to play two matches, with the first on September 27 in Debrecen, Hungary, and the second on October 4 in Bačka Topola, Serbia. The second match was initially moved to a neutral venue and will be played behind closed doors due to security concerns. Cunningham described the decision to move the match from Ireland as a mistake.

He believes that Israel's national team taking the field at Dublin's Aviva Stadium and the playing of their national anthem would have sent a powerful message of support. "We would respect your national anthem. We would respect what you have gone through since October 7, the people you have lost in horrific circumstances," Cunningham said, referencing the Hamas attack.

Previously, the Football Association of Ireland had attempted to have Israel suspended through UEFA, and due to fan protests, they refused to host the match on their territory. Cunningham's stance has sparked debate within the sports community, as other former captains, James McClean and Louise Quinn, have called for a refusal to play. Head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson supports the team's participation in the matches, and tickets for both games will not be sold to local fans.