A Buncrana Councillor says that Ireland should withdraw from the UEFA Nations League, if Israel is not expelled from the competition.
Sinn Fein Councillor Jack Murray has made the call, after last night’s draw placed Ireland in the same group as Israel, as well as Austria and Kosovo, in League B of the competition.
The FAI were one of several international football federations to urge UEFA to expel Israel from its international competitions last year, due to the ongoing Palestinian genocide.
However, both the European football governing body, as well as FIFA, have rebuffed those calls, and Israel remain eligible to compete in both UEFA and FIFA competitions.
After Ireland were drawn against Israel in the Nations League, meaning that the Irish men’s team will have to play Israel at home and away, Cllr Murray says that the FAI should withdraw Ireland from the competition if UEFA isn’t willing to take action.
“I have supported the Irish international soccer team all my life,” the Councillor said on social media.
“I’ve been to countless international home games – my first was with my da against West Germany when I was a 3 year old. Over the years I’ve also travelled to watch them in Georgia, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Russia, Denmark and Estonia. I’m planning to travel to Czechia next month for our world cup qualifying game.”
“I love our national team.”
“Just now though, the Nations League draw has been complete and we’ve been placed in the same group as Israel. If that goes ahead, then I firmly believe that we should withdraw from the competition completely. We cannot allow the sportswashing of a genocidal state on Irish soil.”
He says he wants the FAI to make “a real stand” on the issue of Israel’s continuing competition in international sport, whilst the same state is in the midst of committing a genocide.
“I am so proud that the FAI overwhelmingly called for the expulsion of Israel from UEFA last year. Now we have the opportunity to go further,” the Councillor said.
“This is a chance to make a real stand and tell the world that Ireland is horrified at the continuing crimes against humanity that continue in Gaza.”
“Israel should not be allowed to participate in UEFA. They should not be allowed to act like a normal country. And if they try, then we should not facilitate it.”
Buncrana Councillor wants Ireland to withdraw from Nations League over Israel draw was last modified: February 13th, 2026 by Daniel Brennan