Seamus Coleman: Israel boycott questions not for players
The Story
Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman said questions about whether the team should face Israel in the Nations League “should not have landed on our toes”. The Football Association of Ireland confirmed the games will go ahead, with CEO David Courell saying the governing body had “no choice” and could face “serious consequences” if it pulled out. Coleman, 37, described the situation as “very difficult” for the players and manager.
Key Facts
- Ireland are due to meet Israel in Nations League Group B3 at an expected neutral venue on 27 September, with the return fixture in Dublin on 4 October.
- Pressure for a boycott has grown, with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign protesting at the Dáil on Tuesday.
- Captain Nathan Collins said if individual players felt strongly enough to boycott, “we are not going to stand against them”.
- Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said it is “unfair for the players to be in this position”.
- A ‘Stop The Game’ campaign has been launched by Irish Sport For Palestine, citing alleged breaches of Uefa and Fifa statutes.
- Israel has denied committing genocide or war crimes, stating its Gaza actions are self-defence.
- The conflict began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
- Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 72,500 people, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Conflicting Reports
The article reports that while campaign groups call for a boycott citing “apartheid and genocide,” Israel denies committing genocide or war crimes and has said its actions are justified as self-defence.
Still Unclear
It is not specified which venue will host the first match, nor whether any individual Irish players will choose to boycott the games. The exact sanctions the FAI might face if it pulled out are not detailed.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Seamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland defender)
- Nathan Collins (Republic of Ireland captain)
- Heimir Hallgrimsson (Republic of Ireland manager)
- David Courell (Football Association of Ireland CEO)
Sources: BBC News
