Irish football, arts figures urge FAI to boycott Israel matches

Prominent figures from Irish football and the arts have signed an open letter urging the Football Association of Ireland to boycott upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel.

The letter, organized by the Stop the Game campaign from Irish Sport for Palestine, calls on the FAI to refuse participation in the fixtures scheduled for September 27 away and October 4 at Dublin's Aviva Stadium. Israel's home games have been held in Hungary since November 2023, making the first match likely at a neutral venue.

Signatories include League of Ireland players such as Shamrock Rovers captain and Professional Footballers Association of Ireland chair Roberto Lopes, Bohemians' Dawson Devoy, St. Patrick's Athletic's Joe Redmond, Waterford's Pádraig Amond, and others like Greg Bolger, Sean Boyd, Conor Kearns, and Tiegan Ruddy. Former Ireland men's manager Brian Kerr and ex-women's international Louise Quinn also signed, alongside musicians including members of Fontaines D.C. and Kneecap, Christy Moore, Paul Weller, Stephen Rea, Frances Black, Tom Morello, and Mary Coughlan.

The letter cites alleged breaches of UEFA and FIFA statutes by Israeli teams playing on occupied Palestinian lands,...