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Over 160 Irish Sportspeople Urge Team to Boycott Israel Fixtures
The open letter says 160-plus signatories want the team to refuse the fixtures after protests over Gaza and while the FAI cites sanction risks.
- On Monday, over 160 Irish sportspeople signed an open letter urging the Irish senior men's national football team to boycott upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Israel, calling on players to "act collectively with conscience."
- Signatories argue that playing Israel legitimises a genocidal regime and ignores statute breaches regarding occupied Palestinian lands; they assert the Football Association of Ireland , UEFA, and the Irish government should have refused on legal, moral, and political grounds.
- Notable figures supporting the initiative include Olympian Ciara Mageean, former rugby international Tony Ward, and soccer player Louise Quinn. The letter states, "Not playing the game would be the most sporting thing you could do."
- Director of Football John Martin urged critics not to blame the squad, stating, "People like me and David Courell made this decision, not the players." He acknowledged squad members are "really uncomfortable playing the games."
- The Irish team faces Israel on September 27 in Debrecen, Hungary, and October 4 in Serbia, while the FAI continues lobbying UEFA to ban Israel from international competitions rather than acting unilaterally.
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Ireland press conference before Israel games delayed as pressure to boycott grows
The Ireland team’s press conference the day before the first of its Nations League games against Israel has been delayed as pressure to boycott the matches grows. Journalists in Debrecen, Hungary – where Israel’s “home” game is to be played…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources101
Leaning Left19Leaning Right11Center26Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 34%
C 46%
R 20%
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