Irish Sport for Palestine has accused Israel of committing “genocide” in the war in Gaza ahead of the UEFA Nations League match.
Published May 7, 2026
Leading Irish footballers, along with celebrities, have joined a campaign calling on the Republic of Ireland to boycott the UEFA Nations League match against Israel later this year.
An open letter sent to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) by campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine accused Israel of complicity in “genocide” in the Gaza war and of violating UEFA and FIFA regulations by allowing teams to play on occupied Palestinian land.
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In November 2025, 93% of FAI member states voted for their leaders to ask the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend Israel under these laws. The Irish governing body must be “respected and represented”, claim campaigners.
Israel denies that its forces committed genocide during the war in Gaza.
The letter, titled ‘Stop the Game’, was signed by League of Ireland players, former men’s coach Brian Kerr and two-time Women’s Player of the Year Louise Quinn.
Irish rock band Fontaine DC, hip-hop trio Kneecap, singer-songwriter Christy Moore and Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea are also among the signatories.
Ireland are scheduled to host Israel at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on October 4, but Israel’s designated home match on September 27 will be played at a neutral venue.
The letter includes a statement from Roberto Lopez, captain of Shamrock Rovers and president of the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland.
“We cannot ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine. The huge loss of life there must take precedence over any sporting considerations,” said the Dublin-born Lopez, who will represent Cape Verde at the World Cup in June.
“Ireland has an opportunity here to take the lead and do things that other countries don’t do.”
Israel has been competing in UEFA competitions since the early 1980s, after being excluded from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions in the 1970s after some countries refused to play.
Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin said the two games against Israel should go ahead.
“We are critics and have been very strongly opposed to the Israeli government’s policies, particularly in the Gaza Strip. We condemned the Hamas attack on Israel, which was absolutely horrifying,” Daoist told the Irish Times.
“I think sports is a difficult field when it comes to politics.”
FAI chief executive David Courel said in February that the national team had no choice but to fulfill its obligations or risk damaging the long-term sporting interests of Irish football, including possible disqualification from future competitions.
A poll by the Irish Football Supporters Partnership found that 76 per cent of respondents opposed the match being held.
