Jack Anderson: Politics and sport always mix but don't compare them

TThe plaything that is sport should never, ever be compared to the pity of war.

The Ireland team during the Israel national anthem. Pic: ©INPHO

To paraphrase Macbeth, nothing becomes this week in Irish football like the leaving of it. Tomorrow, Ireland will, for the first time, play a home game at an away venue. Sunday’s game in Serbia will be surreal. What odds a soporific 0-0 to end a tumultuous week?

There is no need here to replay the arguments on whether the Israel games ought to have been played, better a recap on some of the lessons learned.