Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport Joanna Byrne TD has called for Ireland’s Nations League matches against Israel to be cancelled, describing it as “incomprehensible” for Ireland to play against Israel while “a genocide is ongoing”.
Deputy Byrne was speaking at an Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest outside the Dáil calling for the cancellation of the Ireland v Israel fixtures scheduled for the autumn.
She said:
“It is incomprehensible that anybody believes our national team should line out against the terror state of Israel while a genocide is ongoing. We need to do everything in our power to Stop The Game. Ireland cannot play against Israel, it’s as simple as that.”
Deputy Byrne also accused Israel of using football to “sportswash” its international image.
“Israel actively uses football to sportswash its image and to extend its territory while also committing genocide and implementing apartheid.
“Their slaughter of footballers and bombing of football pitches cannot be accepted or normalised.
“Front-line Israeli soldiers with blood on their hands lining out against our national team cannot be accepted or normalised.
“And we need to stand firm on the consensus, that sportswashing cannot be accepted or normalised.”
She said the Football Association of Ireland should listen to calls from supporters and organisations opposed to the games going ahead.
“The FAI needs to hear this loud and clear. Ireland has a choice now whether it wants to stand on the right side of history or not. This is bigger than sport, but sport has the power to send a strong message, a message of morality.
“A question needs to be put to the FAI as to who they’re listening to? The PFAI don’t want this match to go ahead, the Unions don’t want this match to go ahead, and the vast majority of fans don’t want this match to go ahead.”
