Irish sports ministers decide to take stand against Israel game

The teams are set to meet in a UEFA Nations League tie this October.

Ireland will play Israel in the UEFA Nations League at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday, October 4, just a week after the pair's fixture at a neutral venue on Sunday, September 27.

Both Minister for Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, and Minister of State for Sport, Charlie McConalogue, were asked about the governments response to the fixture at an Oireachtas committee meeting.

Both said they would not be attending the game.

Social Democrats TD, Sinéad Gibney, asked whether the government had discussed covering potential penalties with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) if the team withdrew from the matches, though Minister McConalogue said that decision rested with the FAI.

He stated: "There’d be significant repercussions for them within the UEFA system, which is for them to consider and they’ve made their call and we support their decision".

The minister further added that the government had not sought legal advice on any sanctions the FAI could face if it pulled the fixture.

Deputy Gibney also questioned Minister McConalogue on whether the fixtures amounted to 'sportswashing', which he denied.

"No, I don’t believe it’s sportswashing ... I believe it’s a matter for the footballing bodies to make their decision on. We, as a Government, make a decision that we’ve led out and continue to lead out in relation to setting the tone internationally in relation to the recent Israeli actions in Palestine and will continue to do so."

Following a motion from the Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland, Irish Football Supporters Partnership, Cork City FC and Bohemian FC, the FAI may be forced into an extraordinary general meeting over its decision to fulfil the Israel fixtures.

The motion calls for refusal to play Israel on legal and moral grounds, and could trigger an EGM if 10% of members back it, with signatories asking delegates to respond by Friday evening.

Furthermore, Deputy Gibney asked Minister for Media, Patrick O'Donovan, if he would support RTÉ leaving its broadcasting contract to show the Israeli fixtures, to which he said RTÉ had made no approach, dubbing it an editorial matter.