'Growing safety and moral concerns' for staff working during Ireland-Israel fixture

After Ireland were drawn in Group B with Israel, calls were made for the national team to withdraw from the fixtures. Picture: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Staff due to work in a number of areas ahead of and during Ireland's match against Israel on October 4 have begun a consultation process over what they describe as “growing safety and moral concerns about the fixture”.

The staff, who are members of Siptu, are due to work on behalf of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), RTÉ, and airports.

“It is clear that the vast majority of Siptu members, as with the rest of Irish society, are strongly opposed to the playing of these games," said Greg Ennis, the union's deputy general secretary.

"Our members are also asking questions in relation to their right to refuse to facilitate, through the provision of aviation, transport, accommodation and broadcasting services, this match going ahead."

Concerns raised ahead of October fixture

In November, the FAI general assembly overwhelmingly approved a motion calling for Israel to be banned from Uefa over the military assault on Gaza, a call which was rejected by Uefa.

After Ireland were drawn in Group B with Israel, calls were made for the national team to withdraw from the fixtures.

The FAI confirmed in February that, after “taking legal advice, engaging with key stakeholders and reflecting on our constitutional obligations”, the Republic of Ireland would fulfil the fixtures.

Mr Ennis said that, for many of the workers concerned, the issue was a matter of conscience, “due to the Israeli state committing genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes in Palestine and Lebanon”.

Others, he said, had raised concerns about their personal safety in the event of protests.

Union says members will be supported

“Workers should not be placed in this situation. Our union has already committed to Siptu members that if they feel they cannot support the playing of these fixtures in any way whatsoever, be it on moral, safety or legal grounds, we will fully support them, or any group of them, in this stance."

Mr Ennis said it was “not good enough” that the Government had disengaged from the issue of whether the fixture should go ahead, leaving the matter to the FAI.

"The reality surely is that, on a wide range of grounds, these fixtures just cannot go ahead," he said.

“However, our members must plan how to protect their interests, whatever the outcome of the wider political and moral discussions on this issue. Once these consultations are completed, we will be issuing, as a Union, advice and instruction to our members in relation to this issue.”