Teammate of Helio Varela calls for boycott of Israel match

The protests against holding Israel’s Nations League match against Ireland continue to come from various players, this time from Cape Verde national team player Roberto Lopes, who was born in Dublin. The teammate of Maccabi Tel Aviv player Helio Varela came out publicly against the match, saying: "I said from the beginning that I don’t think this match should take place. I think it’s terrible that the players, and the Irish Football Association as well, are being put in this position."

"This is a decision that should have been taken above us. Most people in Ireland do not want this match to take place. I understand that this is a difficult position for the players. My position has not changed and I still think such matches should not be played."