AI-written summary of reporting by The Jerusalem Post. No human editor reviewed this. AI can misread or omit facts — read the original, linked below.
ABSTRACT

More than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter asking the Ireland national football team to boycott its upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel, the Irish Sport for Palestine group said on Monday. Ireland are due to play Israel on September 27 in Hungary and in the reverse fixture in Serbia on October 4, both set to be staged at neutral venues and behind closed doors after protests by players and fans over the war in Gaza.

The Jerusalem Post

More than 160 Irish sportspeople sign letter urging Ireland team to boycott Israel fixtures

More than 160 Irish sportspeople sign letter urging Ireland team to boycott Israel fixtures
Sep 21, 2026, 7:03 PM

More than 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter asking the Ireland national football team to boycott its upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel, the Irish Sport for Palestine group said on Monday. Ireland are due to play Israel on September 27 in Hungary and in the reverse fixture in Serbia on October 4, both set to be staged at neutral venues and behind closed doors after protests by players and fans over the war in Gaza.

Context

Irish Sport for Palestine said the signatories included Olympian Ciara Mageean, former footballer Louise Quinn, former rugby flyhalf Tony Ward, and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan.

Ireland has been one of the European Union's most outspoken critics of Israel's conduct during the Israel-Hamas war. Football Association of Ireland members voted overwhelmingly in late 2025 for its board to request that UEFA immediately suspend the Israel Football Association from European competitions. The FAI later committed to playing the fixtures, citing possible sanctions that could affect the national team and the association.

In May, leading Irish footballers joined celebrities in a campaign urging Ireland to boycott the Nations League matches against Israel.

Reuters said it had contacted the Israeli FA for comment.

Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said last week that he had spoken individually to players about facing Israel.

All Perspectives
Irish Sport for Palestine: The group said in the open letter: "This is a significant moment and with this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing." It added: "Not playing the game would be the most sporting thing you could do. Through your leadership and courage, it would show the power of sport to unite, remind us of the shared values that connect us all, and have an impact far beyond the game."
Football Association of Ireland: FAI members voted overwhelmingly in late 2025 for the board to request that UEFA immediately suspend the Israel Football Association from European competitions. The FAI later committed to playing the fixtures, citing possible sanctions that could affect the national team and the association.
Heimir Hallgrimsson, Ireland coach: Hallgrimsson said last week that he had spoken individually to players about facing Israel, and that "none of us feel comfortable playing in these games."
Position not represented in the source reporting: Israel Football Association; UEFA.
Gaps & Unknowns
  • The source does not state whether the Israel Football Association responded to the open letter or to Reuters' request for comment.
  • The source does not state when the open letter was sent, nor reproduce it in full.
  • The source does not state who decided that the fixtures would be staged at neutral venues and behind closed doors.
  • The source does not state what sanctions the FAI cited as possible, or which body would impose them.
  • The source does not state whether any current Ireland squad members are among the signatories, nor how the signatories were selected.
  • The source does not state UEFA's position on the request to suspend the Israel Football Association.
Sources & Further Reading
  1. The Jerusalem Post — original

Read the original at The Jerusalem Post

Related Coverage