Leading Irish soccer players have joined with celebrities in a campaign urging the Republic of Ireland to boycott a UEFA Nations League match against Israel later this year.
An open letter sent to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) from campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine accuses Israel of engaging in “genocide” in the war in Gaza and of breaching UEFA and FIFA statutes regarding playing matches on occupied territory.
In November 2025, 93 percent of FAI members voted for its leadership to press UEFA to suspend Israel under those statutes, a mandate campaigners say the Irish governing body should “respect and represent.” Anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian sentiment in Ireland is highly visible, with regular mass protests and cross-party political support for Gaza.
Israel has denied that its forces have committed genocide during the war in Gaza, and has vehemently insisted that it abides by international law in all its military endeavors.
The letter, entitled “Stop the Game.” was signed by League of Ireland players, former men’s coach Brian Kerr and twice women’s player of the year Louise Quinn.
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Irish rock band Fontaines D.C., anti-Israel hip-hop trio Kneecap and singer-songwriter Christy Moore were among the other signatories, along with Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea.
#Ireland — Several high-profile figures within Irish football have written an open letter to the Football Association of Ireland calling for a boycott of Ireland’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel later this year.
The letter, sent by the #StopTheGame group, was signed… pic.twitter.com/imhFmMcrel
— Antifa_Ultras (@ultras_antifaa) May 6, 2026
Ireland is set to host Israel at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on October 4, while a September 27 fixture designated as an Israeli home match is expected to be staged at a neutral venue.
The letter includes a statement from Shamrock Rovers captain and Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland chair Roberto Lopes.
“We can’t ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration,” said Dublin-born Lopes, who is set to play at the World Cup for Cape Verde in June. “Ireland has an opportunity here to lead and do what others won’t.”
Irish rap group Kneecap band member, Liam O’Hanna, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, speaks to supporters outside Westminster Magistrates’ Courts in London on August 20, 2025. (JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
Israel have played in UEFA competitions since the early 1980s after being excluded from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions in the 1970s when several countries refused to play against them.
Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin said the two matches against Israel should go ahead.
“We have been critics and have opposed very strongly Israeli government policy within Gaza in particular. We condemned the Hamas attack on Israel which was absolutely horrific,” the Taoiseach told the Irish Times.
“I think sport is an area that can be challenging when it crosses into the realm of politics” he said.
In February, FAI Chief Executive David Courell said the national team had no choice but to fulfill its obligations or risk harming the long-term sporting interests of Irish football, including potential disqualification from future competitions.
A poll by the Irish Football Supporters Partnership found 76% of respondents opposed the fixture being played.
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