Micheál Martin says Netanyahu 'could not give a toss' whether Ireland plays Israel

He was responding to claims FAI handling of games has been 'shambolic, arrogant and incompetent'

David Courell, the CEO of the FAI, will tell politicians: 'We hope the committee understands that fulfilling these fixtures reflects our duty to safeguard the stability and sustainability of Irish football for current and future generations.' Photo: Rachel Steinberg/PA Video/PA

The Taoiseach has claimed that Benjamin Netanyahu "could not give a toss" about whether the Irish soccer teams plays its second game against Israel this weekend.

Micheál Martin has said he "fully understands" why people are angry about the decision to play two games against Israel. However, he stopped short of calling on the FAI to cancel the upcoming game on Sunday.

"In Ireland, we are very angry, and I have made the point numerous times. We are angry because we understand. We want fair play, justice, and self-determination for Palestinians, and we hate to see children being killed. It is natural and that is deep in the Irish psyche. We hate hunger and famine, and we do everything we possibly can to end it, but let us be honest too," Mr Martin told the Dáil.

He was responding to Ruth Coppinger, who said the FAI's handling of the game and the lead up to it, was "shambolic, arrogant and incompetent" and said both the CEO and the board should resign for their handling of it.

"The FAI has ignored its own grassroots and doubled down on its bad decision by shifting the game, knowing that the local fans did not want it. It claimed that each player had been consulted but forgot that goalkeepers are also players as well. It all led to an eleventh hour meeting and the exclusion of one of the players who had actually stated that he did not want to play. 

"Then the FAI deceptively reported the vote as being a "significant majority" when, in fact, it was 14 to 9, if one counts the player who did not have a vote, the heroic and courageous Gavin Bazunu," she said.

The Solidarity TD added that by intervening to stop the first game, which Ireland won 3-0, the Taoiseach would have "had an open goal but he kicked the ball into row Z by not backing a cancellation of the match".

However, Mr Martin said the game "does not matter" to Israel.

"Benjamin Netanyahu could not give a toss whether Ireland plays a soccer match of not, so let us be a bit real," he said.

Meanwhile, TDs and senators will be told on Wednesday that Ireland's participation in the two matches against Israel is being done in "the interests of Irish football as a whole".

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) will appear before the Oireachtas Sports Committee. While the focus will be on safeguarding and child protection, the FAI's opening statement will contain a passage on the games.

David Courell, the CEO of the FAI, will tell politicians that while the association is there to discuss safeguarding, "given their proximity, we recognise that the committee will wish to understand the difficult decision the FAI took to fulfil our UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel".

Mr Courell will say: "We wish we were not in this position. The suffering and devastation in Gaza weigh heavily across the association and Irish football. The FAI has repeatedly communicated its position to UEFA, including calling for Israel's suspension on the basis of breach of statutes in relation to clubs operating in occupied territories.

"As a UEFA member and competition participant, however, the FAI is bound by the applicable rules and obligations." 

He will say that "following thoughtful board consideration and engagement with its members", the decision was taken to fulfil the fixtures. 

"The decision for the board to fulfil its obligations on this matter was supported by our General Assembly at an EGM in July. It was not an endorsement of Israel's participation or a dismissal of deeply held views across the country. 

It was a difficult institutional decision made in the interests of Irish football as a whole.

He will say the FAI's responsibility is to protect players, staff and supporters, and the programmes and structures on which football communities depend. 

"We hope the committee understands that fulfilling these fixtures reflects our duty to safeguard the stability and sustainability of Irish football for current and future generations."

The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, will say that a multi-annual funding commitment of €3 million to "support the development and growth of a strong League of Ireland Academies structure reflects both the Government’s commitment to the sport and the significant organisational and governance progress made by the FAI in recent years".