Sinn Féin backs calls for FAI to boycott Israel game

Sinn Féin has given its support to an open letter calling on the Football Association of Ireland to refuse to play Israel in the UEFA Nations League later this year.

A campaign by Irish Sport for Palestine, titled 'Stop the Game' was launched yesterday, with an open letter backed by high-profile figures in Irish soccer including Shamrock Rovers captain Roberto Lopes, former Ireland manager Brian Kerr and 2019 FAI women's player of the year Louise Quinn.

Following on from the letter, Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan launched a new scarf which she says football fans can use to show their opposition to the upcoming fixture.

She was flanked at the gates of Leinster House by several Sinn Féin TDs, including Louth TD Joanna Byrne who was removed from her position as co-chairperson of Drogheda United when she refused to resign over comments expressing opposition to the Ireland-Israel match.

"We are calling on the FAI to do the right thing, we know the fans support boycotting the game and we want the FAI to endorse the fan's call for a boycott", said Ms. Boylan.

"I hope the FAI will listen. The vote was taken at their general assembly overwhelmingly supporting a boycott of the game. It's now time to take a brave step. We've done it before when it came to the Apartheid campaign in South Africa, Ireland led the way. They need to lead the way when on the boycott of this", she added.

Last night, Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North Naoise Ó Cearúil told RTÉ's The Late Debate that he "personally believed the match shouldn't go ahead", but added it was the responsibility of UEFA to decide on the fixture rather than the FAI or the Irish Government.

Ms Boylan said Government Ministers should listen to the Irish fanbase and and their respective party colleagues.

"I know certain Ministers have said they don't support the boycott. I think they're out of step not only with the fanbase but also members of their political parties"

Christy Moore, Fontaines DC and Kneecap are also among the 38 signatories of the open letter.

In February, FAI CEO David Courell said that the Republic of Ireland has "no choice" but to fulfil its Nations League fixtures with Israel.

The FAI confirmed it would be fulfilling the fixtures, stressing that "serious consequences" would result from forfeiting the games, which would "materially harm the long-term sporting interests of Irish football".

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