Ireland vs Israel - To play or not to play, that is the question Read OP for Mod Warning

csirl · 19-05-2026 07:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124480073#Comment_124480073

A lot of your posts suggest a lack of experience in how Ireland, sport and the world works e.g. Celtic v Ireland and a belief that loads will join a boycott.

You can also feel the hatred from some, but not all, pro-boycott posters. Peace will never be achieved if people cheer lead for one side in a bitter conflict - it only fuels the conflict. Its also strange to see people batting for a foreign country against their own. Support Peace, Support Ireland. Dont support Palestine or Israel.

nacho libre · 19-05-2026 08:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124479980#Comment_124479980

No I don't. In the same way i wouldn't suggest someone holding Russia to account as having a singular focus on them, because it could be seen as an attempt to defend them by framing it as some sort of witchunt. I'd be happy to see the likes of Bibi in the Hague along with Al Nayhan,Dagaldo and Putin.

JohnDoe2025 · 19-05-2026 08:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481088#Comment_124481088

If you don't have a singular focus, why are you so reluctant to name other countries that Ireland should boycott.

I have already been clear that I see a distinction between friendlies and competitive games and given a long list of countries (including Israel) that Ireland shouldn't organise a friendly with. Once again I am left with the distinct impression that there is an obsession with Israel that is blinding people to horrors around the world, and sometimes, in the case of Iran, to them supporting horrific regimes.

JohnDoe2025 · 19-05-2026 08:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124480091#Comment_124480091

So 18 countries from around 150 have enjoined the South Africa genocide case against Israel, a very small minority.

You have just proved my point that most countries and people outside of Ireland view this from a more neutral position.

crusd · 19-05-2026 08:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481148#Comment_124481148

You make the erro of equating governments with their people.

JohnDoe2025 · 19-05-2026 08:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481156#Comment_124481156

The people of Europe just voted Israel third in the Eurovision. I know there will be questions about how, but that is the evidence.

nacho libre · 19-05-2026 09:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481144#Comment_124481144

I have already made it clear by my reference to the hague i don't have a singular focus. I said the other day that the FAI is in a no win situation over these games and for that reason the games should go ahead.

I get the impression the singular focus is actually by you. With this in mind can you clarify whether you believe the genocide label is clearly appropriate to Israel also?

JohnDoe2025 · 19-05-2026 09:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481232#Comment_124481232

I don't have a singular focus on Israel, or on that particular conflict. I have a long list of countries that Ireland should not play friendlies against. For example, I am opposed to the friendly cricket matches scheduled with Afghanistan. Do you support the Irish cricket team playing friendlies against Afghanistan?

Competitive matches should go ahead, friendlies should not.

nacho libre · 19-05-2026 09:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481235#Comment_124481235

I see. You still have not actually answered my question. Why is that? However I will answer yours:

I don't believe in Ireland having friendlies against any rogue actors , whether that be Russia, Israel or whomever .

dmcdona · 19-05-2026 11:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481148#Comment_124481148

If you read the ICJ list, and as I posted, there are a number of nation's representatives who support the case - including the African Union (55 member States) and the Arab League (22 members).

So the entire number is upwards of 95 - more than half of your 150.

So disproving your uninformed point.

The majority of nations support the case and a UN commission has already found that Israel has committed Genocide.

Greengrass53 · 19-05-2026 11:44AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124480988#Comment_124480988

It does offend me and anyone who gives a damn about anything other than their own selfish little world and is completely oblivious to the obscene carnage being perpetrated on innocent children. I couldn't in all conscience go to the match knowing what they represent. However that's just me. You and your mates enjoy yourselves at the game, that's paramount after all.

crusd · 19-05-2026 01:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481166#Comment_124481166

😂

Did you really use Eurovision to make a point about the popularity of Israel?

😂

Trumpists, cranks and rightwingers voted for Israel, fans of Eurovision voted for everyone else and 90% of the continent didnt give a sh!t about eurovision

csirl · 19-05-2026 01:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481857#Comment_124481857

Judging by the public vote, there must be a lot of "Trumpists, cranks and rightwingers" in most European countries. Makes it much less likely other countires would join a boycott.

crusd · 19-05-2026 01:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481881#Comment_124481881

Seriously, are you for real?

How to Win Eurovision With Just a Few Hundred Voters - The New York Times

facehugger99 · 19-05-2026 02:23PM

It’s amazing all the lads that are willing to sacrifice other people’s money and livelihoods for a bit of virtue signalling.

Why don’t they jack in their own jobs and join an aid agency if they feel so strongly about something taking place thousands of miles away?

end of the road · 19-05-2026 03:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482105#Comment_124482105

israel is a genocidal racist apartheid state.

do you condone racism, apartheid and genocide?

Tell me how · 19-05-2026 03:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481042#Comment_124481042

Really. I feel very comfortable with the content of my posts, and my place and understanding with respect to Ireland, sport and the world.

I have lived and worked in 4 countries, I have a trade qualification and am also educated to Post graduate/Masters level and have a had a career working with and for many multinational companies where I've had roles managing 7 figure budgets and the people working within them. And I say all this just to defend against your baseless claim as to my lack of experience in the world. From a sport perspective, I am a lifelong watcher of the Irish football team and some of my youngest memories are around Euro 88 and nearly 40 years later I can still remember exactly how I felt watching Ray Houghton/Ronnie Whelan when they scored those goals. I've stood on the pitch and on the terraces of GAA/Soccer/Rugby fields and played several other sports besides.

The hatred you talk about feeling is imagined, I'm sure there are some, but nothing like it being a significant or even relevant portion of the contributors and yourself showed as much in terms of hatred towards one of the groups within this debate than what has come from any of the pro-boycott posters so you are in no position to pass judgement.

Your attempt to pass off your position as "supporting peace" while simultaneously saying "Don't support Palestine" is a despicable example of both sidesing this debate. You can use what ever mealy mouthed claim you want but I don't think it will hold water for anyone reading the thread with their own interest in Ireland, sport and the world. Do you have any idea what you yourself are talking about? Would you have used that nonsense when talking about WW2? If not, why are you using it now?

Tell me how · 19-05-2026 03:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482105#Comment_124482105

Ah yes, this tired old trope from people at pains to make it clear to everyone they would never lift a finger or do anything to help someone who isn't directly connected them.

A sorry personality trait to be so proud of.

Tell me how · 19-05-2026 03:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481166#Comment_124481166

Is this **** for real?

Do you stand by this post?

Patrick2010 · 19-05-2026 04:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482285#Comment_124482285

Will Ireland refusing to play Israel achieve a single thing in Israel when no other country is doing the same?

Paddy_Mag · 19-05-2026 06:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124481580#Comment_124481580

But I'm not going to see Israel. Im going to the game to watch and support my own national team.

You wont go to a match, but you will use a phone/laptop with Israeli developed and manufactured components, will use medication which was produced in Israel etc.

You will shop in supermarkets which stock Israeli produced fruit and veg

Thats some conscience you have

end of the road · 19-05-2026 06:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482408#Comment_124482408

it will show the israely authorities that there isn't absolute immunity or impunity and perhapse other countries might be less afraid to stand up against the barbarity being prosecuted.

small steps with small outcomes are better then nothing at all.

Paddy_Mag · 19-05-2026 06:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482748#Comment_124482748

So why has nobody else done this? And its not a small step. The repercussions for the FAI will be severe.

csirl · 19-05-2026 06:46PM

I'm from Ireland and I support Ireland. I dont support any overseas countries or national teams.

Throughout this thread Ive tried to explain how things work in the world of International sport. What can or cant be done and what the consequences are, how rules may be applied. I appreciate that it doesnt suit your narrative or what you want to happen, but dont shoot the messenger - its the way sport is organised and how rules are applied. I have extensive experience in this area including being involved in CAS cases, so its coming from a place of experience. I believe my prediction on what will happen in the event of a boycott is the most likely outcome.

On a personal level, I hate when people politicise sport. Sport should be a used as a way of bringing people together - setting a positve example. Sports organisations are not responsible for their governments actions and usually their members have diverse opinions. In this country, there are many people in sport who disagree with the Irish government on many things.

end of the road · 19-05-2026 06:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482772#Comment_124482772

i don't know, they would be better off doing so because israel is a threat to us all.
the western political class are inthrauled to israel at all costs and will support them whatever they do, so it's on everyone else to do their bit to bring this genocidal, racist apartheid terrorist state to heal.
otherwise we are all at risk.

tayto lover · 19-05-2026 06:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482772#Comment_124482772

You are no more worried about the FAI than the man in the moon. What repercussions do you see ?

Paddy_Mag · 19-05-2026 06:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482788#Comment_124482788

As a football fan, a LOI fan, a regular at Ireland home games and occasional away games when feasible

Consequences...

Significant Loss of income from not having the home game

Forfeiting TV rights for failing to fulfil contractual obligations

Potentially a suspension from UEFA which would extend to LOI clubs and the possibility of losing co-host rights in 2028 which would see further financial losses.

Paddy_Mag · 19-05-2026 06:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482787#Comment_124482787

We are at zero risk from Israel.

tayto lover · 19-05-2026 06:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482794#Comment_124482794

None of that is as important as one child's life. We should be the voice of all the murdered Gazan children when we have the chance. Never normalise genocide.

Tell me how · 19-05-2026 06:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124482784#Comment_124482784

Throughout this thread Ive tried to explain how things work in the world of International sport.

What you've done is given your opinion on who things work. What do you think qualifies you to "explain" anything in this respect?

On a personal level, I hate when people politicise sport.

Since sports started, there has been a political intertwinement with some of their events. To suggest otherwise, is just plain ignorance.

Ireland vs Israel - To play or not to play, that is the question Read OP for Mod Warning

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