The Nations League draw took place yesterday and unfortunately Ireland drew Israel. There have been some close calls for Shamrock Rovers in the past few years as they could have drawn Israeli teams in European competition, but thankfully we didn’t. I’m amazed the FAI didn’t put in a request to keep the teams apart, given the difficulties it would cause.
It’s unconscionable that Israel are still allowed play in international sport. I have already seen suggestions of people handcuffing themselves to the goalposts in the Aviva. There will, of course, be massive protests.
Will the Government have the gumption to ban away fans? I would assume, aside from the Zionist hooligans themselves, there would be elements from the North and Far Right from the UK only too thrilled to ‘attend’. What hotel would take the Israeli team? Aside from the morality of it, the protests outside would surely interfere with other guests.
The Cedar Lounge Revolution 
I’ve seen calls on SM for the FAI to refuse to play; much more difficult than it seems from outside football, as this would mean effectively withdrawing from all competitions. Israel have been playing their ‘home’ games in Hungary (significantly….) – it might be worth forfeiting home advantage and perhaps asking the Faroese or Iceland if they’d host the game. Somewhere as near to impossible to get to, and a tiny stadium.
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“Somewhere as near to impossible to get to, and a tiny stadium.”
Finn Park?
Source: Wikipedia https://share.google/YNojOFioNuzY0hy0Z
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I can’t really see that the FAI would have a case to keep the teams apart in a draw. There is no geo-political problem there in the same vein as Gibraltar/Spain, or the Balkan nations.
I’d like to see the game played in Dublin, if for no other reason than we shouldn’t let Israel’s war crimes dictate where we play our home games. If the authorities determine that away fans should be banned – and not have the government match Starmer’s cravenness on the topic – then all the better. Protest, boo, and do everything possible to help the team send them packing after a well-earned hiding.
Interesting point on the accommodation. I’d love to say that if Israel can’t find a hotel here, that’s their problem, but I suspect such an eventuality would result in UEFA ordering a neutral venue. Mabe somewhere up North would take them.
As for a boycott, no. I take a dim view of national sporting exclusions anyway, and at the end of the day Ireland would suffer the penalties, and Israel the rewards. Beat them, and beat them good.
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Don’t see these games taking place, we’ll see how it pans out but see safety concerns and reputational damage for players meaning they won’t happen, and of course they should not happen. Whatever about Isreal not being a legitimate state it certainly ain’t in Europe and could see that issue also playing a part.
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Israel has been part of UEFA for decades now. Sure didn’t we play too hugely irritating draws against them back in the 2000’s. Their keepers’ antics are still legendary.
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The Taoiseach said today that the team should play the games.
The Tanáiste says that RTÉ should broadcast them.
Awful leadership, just awful. Laying any moral authority, the two of them.
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The next thing they’ll say is sport and politics shouldn’t mix. But it does mix.
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Not the next thing. Martin already said it, and RTÉ included it in its 1.00 news programme on the radio.
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“Mr Martin said there was no official boycott of Israel in Ireland and he said the focus now was on peace in the Middle East.”
https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2026/0213/1558326-politics-sport-league/
No reprecussions.
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’Sport and politics shouldn’t mix’ – but don’t mention Russia being banned from international sport and the humiliating FIFA forelock tugging to Trump in the Mango Mussolini being presented with the “inaugural” (makey-up) FIFA Peace Prize before the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 🤫
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Spot on. The disparity between correctly banning Russia and the license given Israel is appalling.
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Surprised?
Association Football at that level is a gangster racket. Surely the best thing to do is boycott it?
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A while back ,one of the usual cynics on twitter opined that ALL Northern politicians were only in it for the money and could not be trusted.The poster’s twitter feed consisted of endless tweets about soccer.When I noted that somebody obsessing about millionaires prancing around a pitch for 90 minutes a week was hardly in a position to call out people working in the community for a small fraction of a footballer’s salary,the conversation died!
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