Ruth Coppinger: "The Irish team should follow these artists' lead and refuse to play genocidal Israel"

Ruth Coppinger has joined a number of high-profile figures in support of Macklemore, following his removal from Ed Sheeran's LOOP tour.

She encouraged the Irish football team to make their own stance by refusing to play Israel in their upcoming Nations League fixture on September 27, 2026.

She praised the musicians that were set to perform with Ed Sheeran on his tour, who have all now cancelled following Sheeran's statement.

Aaron Rowe, who was due to support Sheeran, has withdrawn from the tour. Sheeran's band Beoga have also decided to withdraw.

BIIRD and Amble have also released statements in solidarity with Macklemore, having both previously supported the tour. She said that "those small acts of solidarity, which are really brave, have an impact."

Coppinger commented on the upcoming fixture.

"I hope the Irish players look at this, [and] see the massive support in Irish society and internationally.

"Irish players, who we have to appeal to at this stage, because the FAI and the government have been ignoring all of the campaigns.

"Next week it is really decision time for the players, the whole country will get behind you, like they've gotten behind these artists."

There has been extensive backlash following the announcement of the fixture, with protests taking place in Dublin and the Stop The Game campaign receiving support from notable Irish figures such as KNEECAP, Christy Moore, and Roberto 'Pico' Lopes.

FIFA announced in June that the match will take place in a neutral venue in Serbia, instead of at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The FAI have said the game will be going ahead, so as to not risk disqualification.

Coppinger also criticised Ed Sheeran's statement about Macklemore's removal from the tour.

The removal came after his calls for a 'free Palestine' during his opening set on September 4, at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey.

Macklemore received a huge amount of backlash due to his comments. He was removed due to several stadium owners threatening to pull the LOOP tour from venues if he was to continue on the tour.

"Ed Sheeran is one of the biggest artists in the world, he is now in danger of being cancelled by large swathes of people because of his very political stance.

"This is a political decision that he made, not to side with Palestine, not to back up Macklemore."

Listen to the full statement below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ruth Coppinger (@ruth.coppinger)