Opinion
06 May 26

Prominent footballers and musicians sign 'Stop The Game' open letter protesting Ireland v Israel fixture

"Ireland has an opportunity here to lead—to be a pioneer and do what others won't. We need to be brave enough to say enough is enough. We can’t just stand by. Please, stop the game."

Several prominent footballers and musicians have signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the Ireland versus Israel Nations League fixture.

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.

The open letter addressed to the FAI called on them "to refuse to participate in the two scheduled UEFA nations league games against Israel."

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".

The letter also mentions last year's vote from FAI members where 93% voted to instruct the organisation to call for Israel's suspension to UEFA.

Distinguished signatories of the open letter include artists such as Fontaines D.C, Kneecap, Christy Moore and Tom Morello, as well as athletes such as Greg Bolger, Tiegan Ruddy, Conor Kearns and Ryan Burke.

"We have to stop the game," says Professional Footballers of Ireland Chair Roberto Lopes.

"As players and fans, our natural instinct is always to get out there and compete, but this is a moment where we need to look at the bigger picture," he continues. "We can't ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration.

"Ireland has an opportunity here to lead—to be a pioneer and do what others won't. We need to be brave enough to say enough is enough. We can’t just stand by. Please, stop the game."