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How could ‘sporting interest’ come into play on Ireland v Israel?

Majority of footballing community and Irish people clearly expressed their condemnation

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott — The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.

Sat Feb 28 2026 - 06:00 • 1 MIN READ

Sir, - According to the FAI, Ireland has “no choice” but to play fixtures against Israel in the Nations League. That not doing so would have “serious consequences” and would “materially harm the long-term sporting interests of Irish football”.

How could our “sporting interest” ever come into play against the recent and ongoing slaughter of Palestinian innocents and the ongoing plantation of Palestinian territory?

The majority of both the footballing community and the Irish people have clearly expressed their condemnation of these deplorable Israeli actions.

Shame on the FAI. - Yours, etc,