Ireland will play against Israel despite the protests: "We do not play with genocide, we play against genocide"
More than 160 Irish athletes ask their national team to boycott the match
Ireland will play against Israel . Despite the call for a boycott from their own compatriots, the team managed by Heimir Hallgrimsson will take to the pitch in Debrecen (Hungary) next September 27 to face one of their three group rivals (Austria and Kosovo complete the group).
"None of us feels comfortable playing, but once we have decided to play it, we stick together and play as one," said Icelander Heimir Hallgrimsson, Ireland's manager, who left a remark that has gone down very badly with his rival: "We are not playing with a genocide, we are playing against a genocide. We are playing against Israel, we are not playing with Israel".
None of us feels comfortable playing, but once we have decided to play it, we stick together and play as one
The Israel Football Association responded with a statement on its Twitter account: "We have contributed to the world and to humanity in countless fields, winning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have still not found a cure for the stupidity, ignorance, and hypocrisy displayed by the coach of the Ireland team. We are not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy, and stupidity, we are playing against the coach who embodies them".
Ireland, very united with Palestine
Ireland is one of the countries most critical of the genocide in Gaza and, historically, one of the most committed to the Palestinian cause. In addition to the Eurovision boycott, which they will maintain for the second consecutive year , there have already been tensions in other sports.
In February 2024, the women's national basketball teams of Ireland and Israel faced off in a qualifying match for the 2025 EuroBasket. The Irish players listened to Israel's anthem next to their bench and not on the court opposite their rivals , as is usually done. There was no exchange of gifts, and the players also did not shake hands before the opening tip.
Request for a boycott by more than 160 Irish athletes
In a letter signed by more than 160 Irish athletes , including Olympians, former national team footballers, former rugby players, and boxers, they point out that the Irish football federation could have taken action earlier, but they stress that it is still possible to act to show that sport is there to bring people together.
"Not playing this match would be the sportiest thing to do. It is a very important moment and an opportunity to do the right thing. Putting on the Ireland jersey and representing your country means a lot , but the Ireland we want to represent is one that remembers its anti-colonialist roots and anti-imperialist resistance," they emphasize.
"This moment," they add, "symbolizes something very profound, greater than sport. But this is also sport. This would demonstrate the true power of sport to unite people, remind us of the values that connect us all, and show the impact beyond the match".
