More than 160 Irish athletes call for football boycott against Israel

The Flag of Palestine in the crowd during the UEFA Europa League match, round 2 of 8 between Celtic FC and S.C. Braga at Celtic Park, on 2nd October 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. [Mark Runacles – Anadolu Agency]

More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter calling on Ireland’s national football team to boycott its next two matches against Israel in the UEFA Nations League, the Irish Sport for Palestine group said on Monday.

Ireland are due to face Israel in Hungary on 27 September before meeting again in the return match in Serbia on 4 October.

Both matches will be played at neutral venues and behind closed doors following protests by players and fans over the number of Palestinian civilians killed during the war in Gaza.

According to Irish Sport for Palestine, the signatories include Olympic athlete Ciara Mageean, former footballer Louise Quinn, former rugby player Tony Ward, and boxers Tyrone McKenna and Eric Donovan.

In their appeal to the national team players, the signatories said in the letter: “This is a significant moment and with this moment you have an opportunity to do the right thing.”

They added: “Not playing the game would be the most sporting thing you could do. Through your leadership and courage, it would show the power of sport to unite, remind us of the shared values that connect us all, and have an impact far beyond the game.”

The appeal follows a campaign in May in which prominent Irish footballers joined celebrities in calling on Ireland to boycott its Nations League matches against Israel.

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