'We shouldn't have to play these games': FAI supremo Martin states stance on Israel

FAI director of football John Martin is expecting a full complement of Ireland players to turn out for the Nations League games against Israel

John Martin on Ireland's Nations League games against Israel: “It's a really difficult situation for the players." Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

FAI director of football John Martin feels Ireland shouldn’t be playing Israel in the upcoming Uefa Nations League campaign but is forecasting a full turnout of players.

The association’s General Assembly backed the stance of their board to fulfil the fixtures, albeit moving their ‘home’ game on October 4 to the neutral country of Serbia to avoid the risk of interruption by protesters.

Ireland’s first game against Israel will be Sunday week in Debrecen, three days after they open the four-match window by visiting Kosovo in Pristina on September 24.

Fifa and Uefa last November refused a motion by the FAI for Israel teams to be suspended, both for the genocidal campaign they’ve waged in Gaza, as per a United Nations report, and breaching sporting statutes by establishing their clubs in Palestine.

Yet the FAI insisted the repercussions of forfeiture, up to €10m in monetary terms, left them with no option.

Discomfort among the players was reflected by Séamus Coleman affirming in May that “this should have been dealt with above us” and Martin is sympathetic to their awkward position.

However, he believes none of the squad members which Heimir Hallgrímsson selects on Thursday will boycott the games on grounds of conscience.

“There’s unease from everybody on this, from me personally, the (FAI) executive team and board,” said Martin, now a year in a job which places him in ultimate charge of the footballing operations.

“I think we all agree we shouldn't be in the position where we have to play these games.

“I don't think there's any doubt that we shouldn't be in that position but the board, supported by the executive, chose to play the games.

“It's a really difficult situation for the players. I’ve had a lot of communications with Heimir and obviously speak to players.

“Everything we're doing is with a view to trying to protect players. In terms of ownership of the decision, it was us in the FAI, not the players. So we’re really conscious of that because their profile is so high that naturally the spotlight falls on them.” 

Meanwhile, Martin insists he will not be interviewed as part of the FAI’s investigation into alleged third-party ownership breaches at Shamrock Rovers over both Michael and Alex Noonan.

Both players, who are unrelated, are making transfers to the UK. Goalkeeper Alex recently agreed a loan move to Ipswich Town, with an obligation to buy in January, while striker Michael had completed a pre-contract to join Nottingham Forest in January.

Martin was chief executive at Rovers when contracts were thrashed out with the players but the current club board complained in February that they were unaware of their ‘detailed contents’. These centre on the players’ agent, David Moss, being entitled to a cut of any future transfer fee, raising concerns about third-party ownership rights.

After Rovers self-reported the episode to Fifa, the world governing body has since rerouted the probe to the FAI.

“If something was to come out of it, an oversight or whatever it be, then so be it and I'll hold my hands up,” said Martin.

“But the story could be a man that made a mistake, I don't know.

“But really I don't care. I've moved on, I work for the FAI now and got loads of things going on.

“Probably the only thing I'd add is that since I've left the club I've been very dignified, respectful and professional towards Rovers.

“My intention is to remain very dignified towards the club because I think that's really important to my role and in football in general.

“There’s probably not enough of it in football.”