Social Democrats TD and former footballer calls on FAI board to intervene over Ireland-Israel fixture

Republic of Ireland, players, from left, Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, James Abankwah and Jack Moylan, wearing black armbands in recognition for all the lives lost in the conflict in Gaza, bow their heads during the Israeli national anthem before the UEFA Nations League B match between Israel and the Republic of Ireland at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Social Democrats TD and party spokesperson on sport Daniel Ennis has called on the board of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to step in and support Republic of Ireland soccer players who “don’t want to share the same pitch as a genocidal regime”. 

Representatives of the FAI will appear before the Oireachtas committee on sport later today, where it is expected that they will be asked to explain the decision to go ahead with the fixtures against Israel, in the face of public opposition and concern among players.

Last weekend the Republic of Ireland beat Israel 3-0 in Debrecen, Hungary with a further game due to be played next weekend.

Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the game on Saturday morning, after which the remaining players voted on whether to play the fixture, with the FAI reporting that “a significant majority” voted to fulfil the match.

However Mr Ennis, a former League of Ireland footballer with Bohemians, Shelbourne and Bray Wanderers, claims that eight of the players do not want to play the next fixture and says the FAI board should step in.

Speaking on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1, Mr Ennis said that the "racist" chants that had been heard at the previous game, highlighted why Ireland should not play the next game.

Asked about calls for football and politics to be kept separate, Mr Ennis pointed out that the Israeli soccer captain Manor Solomon had expressed support for Israel’s soldiers.

“So he's the one throwing and intertwining football with politics and it always will be intertwined.

“We've eight players that have already said they don't want to play against Israel. From a footballing point of view, I wouldn't like to go out on a football pitch knowing that eight of my players don't want to be on that pitch.

“And it's not because of footballing decisions. It's not because of injuries. It's because they don't want to share the same pitch as a genocidal regime.” 

The appearance of the FAI before the Oireachtas Sports committee today was about accountability and transparency, he said.

“They've got this wrong. They've put a dark stain on Irish football. And we're losing members. We're hearing about people hating Irish football because of these people.” 

Mr Ennis said he would not attend the UEFA Nations League game between Ireland and Austria in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Thursday, as he would be outside protesting, not against the players but against the FAI.

On the issue of sanctions faced by the FAI if they did not play the games against Israel, Mr Ennis replied: “no sanction stands up against the charred remains of babies”.