“Ireland has an opportunity here to lead\u2014to be a pioneer and do what others won’t. We need to be brave enough to say enough is enough. We can\u2019t just stand by. Please, stop the game.”<\/p>\n
Several prominent footballers and musicians have signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the Ireland versus Israel Nations League fixture.<\/p>\n
The controversy over the Nations League game, set to take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on October 4, has received a mixed public response, with protests taking place across Dublin over the last few months. The FAI have said the fixture will go ahead so as to not risk disqualification.<\/p>\n
The open letter addressed to the FAI called on them “to refuse to participate in the two scheduled UEFA nations league games against Israel.”<\/p>\n
With “the clear and ongoing serious breaches of UEFA & FIFA statute regarding Israeli teams playing on occupied Palestinian lands”, adding “as a member of UEFA you have a duty to upload these rules if UEFA will not”.<\/p>\n
The letter also mentions last year’s vote from FAI members\u00a0 where 93% voted to instruct the organisation to call for Israel’s suspension to UEFA.<\/p>\n
Distinguished signatories of the open letter include artists such as Fontaines D.C<\/a>, Kneecap<\/a>, Christy Moore<\/a> and Tom Morello<\/a>, as well as athletes such as Greg Bolger, Tiegan Ruddy, Conor Kearns and Ryan Burke.<\/p>\n