Protesters gather outside FAI headquarters to call for boycott over Nations League games against Israel

"Ruth Coppinger, People Before Profit-Solidarity TD for Dublin West, told the Irish Independent that she is calling for the FAI to pull out of the matches to avoid "normalising" Israel's actions. "They took a vote 93pc of delegates who believe that Israel should be kicked out of the tournament," Ms Coppinger said. "So they need to back it up, because clearly the sentiment of all of the FAI members was made clear. It's really lacking in any backbone and moral principles."

""In 1998, the Irish government refused to let Yugoslavia play in Ireland, as that country had conducted crimes against humanity in Kosovo," Mr Burtchaell said. "Under no circumstances should this match go ahead, it's legitimising the Israeli state and it's legitimising the genocide." Mr Burtchaell also said the boycott has the potential to create an international call to action, similar to the actions of the Dunnes Stores workers who engaged in an anti-apartheid campaign in the 1980s."

"About 50 people were at the protest in Blanchardstown, Dublin, before a letter was handed in that detailed a call for a boycott of the fixtures and listed the names of Palestinian sportspeople killed in the war on Gaza. Ireland are set to play their Nations League away match with Israel on September 27, but at a neutral venue. The home fixture is scheduled for Aviva Stadium in Dublin on October 4."

Ireland are scheduled to play Israel twice in the Nations League: an away match on September 27 at a neutral venue and a home fixture at Aviva Stadium on October 4. About 50 people protested in Blanchardstown, Dublin, delivering a letter calling for a boycott and listing Palestinian sportspeople killed in the Gaza war. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger urged the FAI to pull out to avoid normalising Israel's actions, citing a 93% delegate vote in favour of kicking Israel out of the tournament. Councillor John Burtchaell referenced Ireland's 1998 refusal to host Yugoslavia and said the fixtures legitimise the Israeli state and genocide, suggesting the boycott could prompt international action similar to the Dunnes Stores anti-apartheid campaign.

Read at Irish Independent