Irish Athletes Urge Football Team to Boycott Matches Against Israel

Over 160 Irish athletes, including Olympians and professional boxers, have signed an open letter calling on the national football team to boycott two upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel. The letter, published by the group 'Irish Sport for Palestine' on X, urges players to "act together in conscience" and refuse to participate, citing the conflict between Israel and Palestine as a violation of sporting values like equality and justice. Among the signatories are Olympic boxing champion Kellie Harrington, boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan, former rugby player Tony Ward, and former national team player Louise Quinn.

The Irish Football Association (FAI) has confirmed its decision to proceed with the matches, having voted against a boycott in July. FAI Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Hill stated that the association is not interested in unilateral actions and is working with UEFA to address its concerns regarding Israel's participation in tournaments. He emphasized that the decision rests with the FAI's leadership, not individual players.

National team head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson acknowledged that some players feel uncomfortable about the games but confirmed that all selected players are preparing for the international break. The first match is scheduled for September 27 in Debrecen, Hungary, with the second on October 4 in Bačka Topola, Serbia. Both games have been moved to neutral venues for security reasons. The athletes' letter, released days before the first match, intensifies the public debate surrounding the fixtures.